Journal des troubles sanguins et de la transfusion

Abstrait

Blood Donation Practice and Associated Factors among College Students in Kolfe Keraniyo Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Zinash Kebede, Mesafint Abeje Tiruneh, Kidanemariam G/Michael Beyene

Availability of blood for transfusion is limited in Ethiopia, as is voluntary blood donation. Evidence relating to practice on blood donation among Ethiopians is also scarce. Therefore, assessing the level of blood donation practice and its determinants among students has a paramount importance in designing an effective strategy for sustaining adequate and safe blood provision. Hence, this study aimed to assess blood donation practice and associated factors among college students in Kolfe Keraniyo Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods and materials: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 college students from August 23, 2019 to October 7, 2019. The study participants were selected by multi stage sampling technique. A pre tested self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with blood donation practice.

Result: Out of 349 sampled college students 34.4% of participants had donated blood so far. The result showed that study participants aged 21-23 and 24 and above years were 2.23 and 3.38 times more likely to donate blood compared to study participants aged 18-20 years (AOR=2.23 (95% CI: 1.15, 4.33)) and (AOR=3.38 (95% CI: 1.52, 7.50)) respectively. Health science student were 3.06 times more likely to donate blood than non-health science students (AOR=3.06 (95% CI: 1.65, 5.67)). College students who were knowledgeable about blood donation were 7.99 times more likely to donate blood compared to those who were not knowledgeable (AOR=7.99 (95% CI: 3.99, 16.02)). Study participants who said the Blood Bank working hour is convenient were 2.12 times more likely to donate blood compared to those who said the working hour is not convenient (AOR=2.12 (95% CI:1.07, 4.19)).

Conclusion: Blood donation practice of college students was found to be low. Age, knowledge of blood donation, department and blood bank working hour convenience were significantly associated with blood donation practice. Hence, providing repeated blood donation awareness campaigns in the colleges and ongoing educational and motivational activities to encourage voluntary blood donation by the students.