Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ABOUT BLOOD DONATION AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN SOUTH KERALA

Chitra C. Nair*, Sunitha Mahadeven, Asheeta A., Hima C. S., Beena M. I. and Amal Tom

Abstract

Blood inadequacy often come across in health-care settings and is accountable for disproportion between increasing demand for safe blood and blood products on the one hand and failure to arrange regular blood supply due to misunderstandings, perceived injuries and risks, and absence of motivation among potential donors. In this study, the study population are pharmacy students whose opinion represents what will be transmitted to the general population, and thus a reflection of the community view of blood donation can be obtained. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice level of pharmacy students in South Kerala. A Cross sectional study was conducted among 210 students using structured pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. The study participants were found to have overall good knowledge level (65.2%), positive attitude (61.9%) and poor practice (62.9%) about blood donation. Major reason for non-donation was being underweight or anaemic (45.7%). Although attitude and practice towards blood donation was slightly higher in males than females, there was no significant association between sociodemographic variables and KAP. The nutritional factors should be considered seriously as several students stated being underweight and anaemic as causes for not donating blood. Systematic health check-ups along with provision of nutritious meals should be ensured. Also, there exists a need for increasing awareness in the students regarding blood donation.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, blood donation.