Title: Knowledge about Blood Donation among Undergraduate Students of GMC, Patiala, Punjab, India
Authors: Aradhna Sharma, Kanchan Bhardwaj, Yasmeen Singh
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.208
Abstract
Background: Students consists a large and healthy group who can meet the demand of safe blood. Knowledge studies have been used to understand the various factors that influence blood donation which is the basis for donor mobilization and retention strategies. However, there is paucity of studies on knowledge about blood donation among medical students.
Aim: To assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding blood donation among the medical students for a safe and effective blood donor recruitment and retention programme.
Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 341 medical students from Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India using a predesigned questionnaire. A scoring mechanism was used to understand knowledge level. Data was analyzed in the form of percentage.
Results: The overall knowledge on blood donation was average. Majority (88.9%) of students never donated blood. Knowledge level was found higher among old final students (70.3%) and less among 2nd year medical students (48.7%). Most of the students (89.8%) were aware about the suitable age group for blood donation and 72.5% stated that the minimum gap between donations should be 3 months. However only (25.5%) knew about ideal weight required to donate blood. Only (60.4%) were aware of common deferral conditions for blood donation.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that practice of blood donation can be enhanced by improving knowledge on blood donation among college students. The present study recommends that even medical student community needs to be educated about voluntary blood donation on regular basis as this will strengthen the recruitment and retention of blood donors to donate blood. There is this large pool of safe blood in college going students who are willing, but not tapped as source of blood donation.
Keywords: Knowledge, Medical students, Voluntary Blood donation.
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