TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Medical and Paramedical Staff in Blood Transfusion in the Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Jeff Maotela Kabinda, Serge Ahuka Miyanga, Philippe Donnen, Jeff Van den Ende, Michèle-Wilmet Dramaix
KEYWORDS:
Health Personnel, Transfusion, Hepatitis, HIV
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.4 No.8,
August
27,
2014
ABSTRACT: Objective:
To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of providers in blood
transfusion, HIV infections and hepatitis B and C in the province of South Kivu
(eastern DRC). Methods: This study is comparative cross-sectional. It covered
all the staff care. Our sample was composed by doctors, nurses, midwives, and
agents’ rapid training in activity in health sector in South Kivu between 1
December 2011 and 30 December 2011. Those medical and paramedical staffs came
from 12 general reference hospitals, 11 hospitals and 65 health centers in the
province of South Kivu. Three hundred and ninety three people were interviewed
including 6.5% of physicians, 87.4% of nurses and 5.1% of midwives. Among them,
25.5% had received training in blood
transfusion. Results: Overall, 11.7% of providers responded correctly to
questions on knowledge and attitude on blood safety. The proportion of
correct answers on the knowledge and attitude on exposure accidents was 53.8%.
The frequency of caregivers who responded well to the basics of HIV and
hepatitis B and C was 15.5%. Notions about the type of donor blood and the risk
of blood transfusion received an overall rating of 17.8% and the proportion of
correct answers on the knowledge and practice base of blood transfusion was 16.7%.
During the six months following the survey, 54.4% of providers have experienced
accidental exposure to blood. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge of the medical
staff in transfusion is obvious. We must therefore have the possibility of
organizing regular training and follow-up activities.