INTRODUCTION:
Blood has been held to be an important component for survival of all living beings and it is considered to be the living force of the human cell.1 Ancient Egyptians used blood products to treat some conditions and rejuvenate the infirm and the elderly in various spheres; and today the use of whole blood is accepted by all and sundry and commonly employed for resuscitation in various surgical procedures.2 The use of safe blood in clinical settings is crucial in improving the health of the populace and in preventing various infectious diseases; hence, millions of lives today are saved via blood transfusions.3
Blood transfusion is viewed as the donation of blood or blood products from the donor into the bloodstream of the recipient and it is a life-saving scheme in both routine and emergency situations.4 Globally, about 80 million units of blood are donated each year but it is recorded in research that out of these, only two million units are donated in sub-Saharan Africa.5
The blood transfusion practices have been recognized since 1930s in treating various illnesses.6 “Transfusion of blood products is one of the most common medical procedures, used for patients with a wide range of medical conditions to improve tissue oxygenation, achieve hemostasis, and/or fight infections”.7 Blood has been seen to be the most donated tissue in clinical settings by humans and a live-saving scheme in various routine and emergency situations.5 Blood donation is considered as a vital therapeutic approach in modern health care, and it is intended to save millions of lives, but there is a great challenge as regards blood donation in developing countries despite enhanced education on blood transfusion related to emergency situations.8
The young populations are seen as the crucial segment of the population, and they are the hope of present and future sources of safe blood supply; hence, they are active, resourceful and receptive as regards the concept of voluntary blood donation.9 Part of the young population are undergraduate students of universities who are supposed to represent great resources for voluntary blood donation; unfortunately, most university students do not tend to donate blood.1 Undergraduate students will not only become future blood donors but also motivators and/or role models for the community outlets of voluntary blood donors.9
Despite World Health Organization’s recommendation of one hundred percent of voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood and/or blood products to every patient available in every health facility; family members are still pressured to donate blood or find donors in emergency situations.10
Against this backdrop, this study assessed the knowledge and practice of blood donation among undergraduate students of Chemistry, University of Jos, Nigeria.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
The specific objectives of the study are to;
1. Assess the knowledge of blood donation among undergraduate students of Chemistry in University of Jos
2. Determine the practice of blood donation among undergraduate students
3. Identify the factors affecting the practice of blood donation among undergraduate students
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS:
H0: There is no significant association between knowledge and practice of blood donation among undergraduate students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Research Design:
A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was adopted for this study and it assessed the knowledge and practice of blood donation among undergraduate students of Chemistry in University of Jos, Nigeria.
Research Setting:
The study was carried out in University of Jos; a Federal University located in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. The Faculty of Natural sciences which houses Department of Chemistry Started in the 1974/1975 Session as the then Campus of University of Ibadan which has metamorphosed to the present day University of Jos.
Study Population:
The target population for the study are undergraduate students of Chemistry, University of Jos, with the population of seven hundred and four (704) students.
Sampling Technique:
Convenient sampling technique was adopted based on availability with a galloping semester coupled with industrial actions and other problems. In calculating the sample size, Taro Yamani’s formula as updated was used.11
Where N = number of target population
e= 5% [0.05] level of significant error
n= sample size
1= mathematical constant
= 255.0725
≈ 255
Inclusion Criteria:
1. The student must be an undergraduate student of the Department of Chemistry, University of Jos.
2. The student must be willing and readily available to participate
3. The student must also be physically and mentally sound to take part in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Students from other Departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University are excluded in this study
2. Students who are not mentally fit are also excluded.
Method of data collection:
The method used for data collection was face to face data collection method otherwise known as on the spot method; this was employed via the use of questionnaires; same were retrieved after completion. The researchers were personally involved in the collection of data.
Method of data analysis:
The data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages. Inferential statistic such as chi-squared test was used to test the hypothesis. Data was inputted into the variable view for computation process and thereafter transformed into tables for extraction. The results were therefore presented in frequency distribution table comprising frequencies and percentages.
Ethical Consideration:
Permission to conduct this study was given by the Department of Chemistry, University of Jos. Informed consent was obtained from individual participants before the study was embarked upon. They were informed that the elicited information will not be traced to them and pseudonyms were used in a bid to ensure anonymity. The choice of participation was respected and voluntary; and information gotten from them was kept with utmost confidentiality.
Table 1: Socio-demographic data of respondents
|
Variable |
Options |
Frequency(F) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Age of the respondents in (years) |
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35 and above Total |
22 125 69 33 6 255 |
8.6 49.0 27.1 12.9 2.4 100.0 |
|
Gender of the respondents |
Male Female Total |
138 117 255 |
54.1 45.9 100.0 |
|
Marital status of the respondents |
Single Married Widow(er) Divorced Total |
183 63 2 7 255 |
71.8 24.7 8 2.7 100.0 |
|
Study level of the respondents |
100L 200L 300L 400L Total |
42 72 70 71 255 |
16.5 28.2 27.5 27.8 100.0 |
|
Religion |
Christianity Islam Others Total |
181 66 8 255 |
71.0 25.9 3.1 100.0 |
Regarding gender of the respondents, male respondents outnumbered their female counterpart constituting 54.1% while female constitute 45.9%, out of which, 71.8% are single, 24.7% are married, 8% are widow(er) while 2.7% are divorced/separated.
The respondents are drawn across levels of studies, that is, 100 level made up 16.5%, 200 level 28.2%, 300 level 27.5%, and 400 level 27.8%. The religious affiliation indicates that 71.0% among the respondents are Christians, 25.9% belong to Islamic religion while 3.1% belong to other religions.
Table 2: Knowledge of blood donation among undergraduate students
|
Variable |
Options |
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
I am aware of blood donation concept |
Yes No Total |
245 8 255 |
96.1 3.1 100.0 |
|
Source of information |
Hospital School Media Family & friends Internet Total |
63 104 31 49 8 255 |
24.7 40.8 12.2 19.2 3.1 100.0 |
|
What is blood donation |
The art of giving your spirit to another person The act of withdrawal of blood from a volunteer donor and introducing same blood into a recipient in order to save life A way of cleansing another person Total |
21
229
5
255 |
8.2
89.8
2.0
100.0 |
|
Who should not donate blood |
Sick HIV positive Hepatitis positive Menstruating women Pregnant women Total |
86 128 21 3 17 255 |
33.7 50.2 8.2 1.2 6.7 100.0 |
|
Is blood group important to note |
Yes Am not sure No Total |
213 31 8 255 |
83.5 12.2 4.3 100.0 |
|
Is there any blood group that is not fit for donation? |
A B AB O Total |
30 17 39 169 255 |
11.8 6.6 15.3 66.3 100.0 |
The Table further indicates that 89.8% among the respondents concurred to blood donation as an act of withdrawal of blood from a volunteer donor and introducing same blood into a recipient in order to save life, 8.2% asserts that blood transfusion is the art of giving your spirit to another person while 2.0% said it is a way of cleansing another person.
The reaction of respondents to the question “which among these people are not expected to donate blood?” is distributed across reasons, 50.2% said HIV positive persons, 33.7% said the very sick, 8.2% reported hepatitis positive clients, 6.7% considered the pregnant women, while 1.2% said the menstruating women.
Majority (83.5%) among the respondents said one’s blood group is important to note when donating blood, 12.2% were not sure whereas 4.3% disapproves of this notion. About sixty six percent among the respondents considered blood group O as the most common, while 15.3% said AB, 11.8% projects A group and 6.6% were of the opinion that blood group B is the commonest.
Table 3: Practice of blood donation among undergraduate students
|
Variable |
Options |
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
I have donated blood before |
Yes No Total |
110 145 255 |
42.4 57.6 100.0 |
|
Frequency of donation |
Once in a year Twice in a year More than two in a year No Response Total |
69 29 12 145 255 |
27.1 11.4 4.7 56.9 100.0 |
|
Type of donation |
Non voluntary Voluntary donation I was paid money No Response Total |
23 78 9 145 225 |
9.0 30.6 3.5 56.9 100.0 |
|
Recipient of blood donated |
Family member(s) Unknown Person(s) Friend(s) No Response Total |
46 52 12 145 255 |
18.0 20.4 4.7 56.9 100.0 |
|
Reason for blood donation |
Emergency Organizational activity Free will Replacement No Response Total |
46 52 11 0 145 255 |
18.0 20.4 4.7 0.0 56.9 100.0 |
|
Last blood donation |
Last 3 months Last 6 months Last one year Last 2 years I can’t remember No Response Total |
17 37 21 16 19 145 255 |
6.7 14.5 8.2 6.2 7.5 56.9 100.0 |
|
Reason for not donating blood |
I felt medically unfit Fear of pain No one had asked me to donate blood I don’t like the idea of donating blood No Response Total |
18 32 55
37 3 110 255 |
7.1 12.5 21.6
14.6 1.2 43.1 100.0 |
Table 3 indicates that 57.6% among the respondents have never donated blood, while 42.4% have donated blood. For respondents who have ever donated blood, 27.1% did so once a year, 11.4% did that twice a year while 4.7% did it more than twice a year. As to the type of donation, 30.6% affirmed of voluntary donation, 9% of non-voluntary while 3.5% said they were paid for blood donation. Recipients of the donation cut across family members (18%), unknown persons (20.4%), and friends (4.7%). The topmost reason for donating blood was organizational activity with donors constituting 20.4%, seconded by emergency reasons (18%), donation for free came third with 4.7%. About fourteen and half percent donated blood within last 6 months, 8.2% did so within last year, 6.2% donated blood last 2 years while 7.5% respondents cannot remember when they donated blood last.
Respondents that have never donated blood have these reasons for not donating; 21.6% said no one asked them to do so, 14.6% did not like the idea of blood donation, 21.6% were afraid of pain associated with the procedure.
Table 4: Factors affecting blood donation among undergraduate students
|
Question |
Options |
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Factors that influence practice |
Inadequate information about blood donation It may expose me to bloodborne infections Causes sexual dysfunction Selling of donated blood to the patients I am medically unfit to donate blood Total |
76
44
8 107
20
255 |
29.8
17.3
3.1 42.0
7.8
100.0 |
|
Adverse effects of blood donation discouraging me |
Fainting Dizziness Generalized body weakness No Response Total |
92 79
64 20 255 |
36.1 31.0
25.1 7.8 100.0 |
Table 4 consists of factors affecting blood donation among the undergraduate students. According to this Table, 42.0% were discouraged about blood donation because it is sold to the recipients instead of giving them out for free, 29.8% respondents identified, it is inadequate information about blood donation, 17.3% said it may expose them to bloodborne infection, 7.8% considered themselves not medically fit while 3.1% held unto the notion that it results to sexual dysfunction. Other reasons shown by the respondents is the adverse effects of blood donation that scares them. Majority (36.1%) said fainting after donation, 31% stood for dizziness, 25.1% said generalized body weakness.
Table 5: Chi-Squared Test of the Significance between Knowledge and Practice of Blood Donation
|
|
Value |
Df |
Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) |
|
Pearson Chi-Square |
7.647a |
1 |
0.022 |
|
Likelihood Ratio |
11.315 |
2 |
0.003 |
|
Linear-by-Linear Association |
2.566 |
1 |
0.109 |
|
No. of Valid Cases |
255 |
|
|
Chi square (x2) value: 7.64, Degree of freedom (df): 1,
Critical value: 3.84, level of Significance: 0.05
Interpretation:
The Chi squared test in Table 5 have it that the Chi square value is 7.64 with the Critical value of 3.841 at the level of significance of 0.05. It is observed that the x2 calculated 7.64 is greater than the Critical value of 3.841, it therefore lacks the statistical significance for the null hypothesis to be adopted. Therefore; the hypothesis which states that there is no significant association between knowledge and practice of blood donation among undergraduate students is rejected.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS:
Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents demonstrates that majority of the respondents fall within the age bracket of 20-29 years old; this might be due to the fact that the majority of the students in this study are undergraduate students. The study further shows that the respondents have heard of blood donation, majority among the respondents agreed to the fact that knowing one’s blood group is very important when donating blood. Consequently, blood group O+ is considered the commonest while AB is less common of all blood groups. This is in consonance with findings in research that blood Type O with Rhesus positive were the commonest blood given to recipients.12,13
The findings also shows that the practice of blood donation among undergraduate students was very low because majority among the respondents have never donated blood. The study findings is consistent with the study of Beyene14 which proposed low level of blood donation practiced among the respondents; low knowledge and poor attitudes were reported to be independent predictors of low inclination to donation of blood among the participants. This study finding also corroborates the projection of research that portrays low awareness and poor attitude towards blood donation which is aligned with lack of motivation among the young people.15
This study further shows that factors affecting blood donation among undergraduate students, is selling of blood to the recipients rather than given them out for free. The findings however, contradicts the research finding among University students in Yangon, Myanmar which projects misbelief of infection and fear as factors affecting blood donation.16 The difference in the findings might be due to cultural variations and different study settings. Further to this, factors like social pressure and perceived ease or difficulty in performing the act of blood donation based on inadequate knowledge and/or negative attitudes could affect voluntary blood donation among the youths.17
Another issue of priority according to this study was inadequate information about blood donation among the students. The study findings is consistent with the findings among University students, that the more information the students had, the more likely they will be interested in voluntary blood donation.2 However, blood donation among Saudi students was hampered by various misconceptions regarding voluntary blood donation to recipients.18 Further to this, identified differences in the motivators, barriers and choice of communication channel among the university students can be viewed as factors affecting blood donation.19
Other reason shown by the respondents is the adverse effects of blood donation that scares them; and these includes: fainting, dizziness, and generalized body weakness. This study findings partially corroborates the study of Cirino 20 which proposed dizziness, pain, physical weakness, lightheadedness, and bleeding as adverse effects of blood donation among the recipients. However, this study finding is not consistent with the findings in literature which projects bruising and pain, tenderness at the site of needle insertion, minor swelling, fatigue and lightheadedness among the adverse effects affecting blood donation to the recipients.21
The test of hypothesis shows that statistical significant association exist between knowledge and practice of blood donation among undergraduates students of the Department of Chemistry, University of Jos; this can be attributed to the fact that good knowledge of blood donation and other associated factors has an influence on their practice of blood donation. A significant knowledge difference and attitude between students from Arsi University and Adama Science and Technology University exists with regards to blood donation among young people.8 However, there was a weak positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of blood donation among students; hence, participants willing to donate blood to strangers were four times more likely to do so regularly.22
CONCLUSION:
Although majority of the students had a good knowledge regarding blood donation, but blood donation practices was low. Inadequate information, selling of donated blood and adverse effects of blood donation were found to be significantly associated with hampering blood donation practices; hence, the need to educate the students on the benefits of blood donation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Hospital policies that encourage monetization of blood donation should be revisited
2. It is imperative to educate the general public on the benefits of blood donation at all levels of life.
3. All traditional and religious practices that forbids blood donation should be discouraged to allow for willing individuals constrained by such practices.
4. Awareness campaigns on blood donation practices should be embarked upon in Nigerian Universities to encourage voluntary blood donation
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
This study was conducted among the undergraduate students of chemistry; hence, it lacks power for generalization.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We would like to acknowledge the students of the Department of Chemistry, University of Jos who availed themselves for this study despite the crisis on the plateau.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
There is no conflict of interest to declare in the conduct of this study.
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Received on 11.04.2024 Modified on 26.04.2024
Accepted on 06.05.2024 ©A&V Publications All right reserved
Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2024; 14(2):161-166.
DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2024.00032