KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND PERCEIVED BENEFITS ON VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Blood is life and the most donated tissue for therapeutic treatment in medical history. Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors (VNRBD) worldwide were adjudged to have the safest blood devoid of Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs). There is dearth of information on the knowledge, practice and perceived benefits of voluntary non remunerated blood donation among the public. This study was therefore, designed to investigate the knowledge, practice and perceived benefits of VNRBD among public secondary school teachers in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling method to select 290 respondents. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire comprising of socio-demographic characteristics, 36-point knowledge and 32-point practice scale was used to elicit information related to respondents on blood donation. Knowledge scores of 0-11, >11≤23 and >23 were rated poor, fair and good, respectively. Practice scores of 0-15 and >15 were rated poor and good practice, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, with level of significance set at 5%. The mean age was 37.2±10.2 years, 67.6% of respondents were married, 66.2% of the respondents were female. Few (25.2%) were within the age bracket 39-45 years. Majority (73.8%), of the respondents had a first degree. Most (89.3%), of respondents were of Yoruba ethnic group while more than three-quarter (79.7%), were Christians. One-third of respondent (33.1%), had good knowledge of blood donation, while a little above three quarter (76.2%), had poor practice. Majority, (97.6%) ever heard of blood donation, 23.1%, had donated blood before. Different reasons were given for donating blood which included a friend needed blood (41.8%), voluntary (34.3%), a family/relative (20.9%), among others. Reasons for non-blood donation 34.5% of respondents said they were never approached for it, 3.6% said fear of weakness from donation, 7.6% phobia for needles; 21.1% said no cause to donate, while 2.7% were scared of knowing their viral status among others. Influencing factors for blood donation among respondents were to save life (83.1%), voluntary (84.1%), a family/friend was in need of blood (76.9%) and during emergency (85.2%). Detail explanation of procedures (64.4%), reassurance of its safety (13.8%), blood compatibility to that of patient (11.1%), among others were the factors that could motivate respondents to donate blood. Education, marital status and religion were statistically significant with the respondents’ knowledge. Association between knowledge and practice was equally significant. Knowledge and practice of blood donation was poor among teachers in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The perceived benefits included among others, to save life, emergency needs and a family/friend needed blood. Because teachers’ opinions were respected in the society, therefore, sensitization and workshop on blood donation should be embarked upon by the Teaching Service Commission in conjunction with the National Blood Transfusion Service and the State Ministry of Health. Public enlightenment campaign on voluntary non-remunerated blood donation is also recommended