TITLE:
Perception of Blood Donation among Medical and Pharmaceutical Science Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
AUTHORS:
S. A. Nwabueze, C. C. Nnebue, E. C. Azuike, C. A. Ezenyeaku, C. C. Aniagboso, O. E. Ezemonye, E. D. Azuike
KEYWORDS:
Perception, Blood Donation, Students, University, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
11,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Safe
blood is a vital component in improving healthcare globally and millions of
lives are saved each year through blood donation. But most hospitals in the
developing countries face challenges of constant supply of blood to carry out
different life saving procedures that require blood, due to paucity of blood
donors. Many studies have been done on the perception of blood donation but
only a few have been on Medical and Pharmaceutical Students. Aim: To determine
the perception of blood donation among Medical and Pharmaceutical Students of
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi and Agulu Campuses respectively. Material and
Methods: Stratified sampling technique was used to divide the students into
strata (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600), then simple random sampling was used to
select different respondents from each class and self-administered
questionnaires were given to the respondents. Data was collected and results were
analyzed. Results: 294 respondents, 147 medical students and 147 pharmaceutical
students participated in the study 141 (95.9%) of medical students and 137
(93.2%) of pharmaceutical students had heard of blood donation. 139 (94.6%) of
medical students and 140 (95.2%) of pharmaceutical students knew their blood
groups. 59.5% of the respondents had donated blood. The commonest motivating factor towards blood donation is “to save a
friend or family member”. Conclusion: The knowledge of the students regarding
blood donation was high but the practice of blood donation was low.