Assessment of Blood Donation Practice and Its Associated Factors Among Wollega University Undergraduate Students, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction

Blood donation is the process of collecting blood from donors who are at low risk for infection and unlikely to jeopardize their own health. Blood donation addresses maternal and child mortality and contributes to saving millions of lives. But many African countries including Ethiopia are far below the minimum blood collection rate. Furthermore, the blood donation practice is not well studied among young university students in the study area. Hence, this study was done to assess the blood donation practice and associated factors among Wollega University students, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 387 students of Wollega University. The students were selected by systematic random sampling. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered into Epidata V.3.1 and exported to SPSSV.25 for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify the associated factors. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P-value <0.05 were used to declare the statistically significant associations in the multivariable regression. The analyzed result was presented using tables, graphs, and text.

Results

Of the 360 respondents, 147 (40.8%; 95% CI: 35.7–46.1%) ever donated blood. Blood donation practice was significantly associated with college of the students (AOR = 3.247; 95% CI: 1.348–7.820), not taking part in blood donation campaigns (AOR = 0.285; 95% CI: 0.161–0.503), knowledge of blood bank location (AOR = 5.297; 95% CI: 3.081–9.110), knowledge about blood donation (AOR = 2.035; 95% CI: 1.123–3.686) and attitude toward blood donation (AOR = 2.266; 95% CI: 1.122–4.577).

Conclusion

The magnitude of blood donation in this study was found to be less than the recommended level by the World Health Organization. Absence of the blood donation campaigns, college of study, lack of knowledge, and poor attitude toward blood donation were the factors that influence the blood donation practice. All health and related institutions including the Wollega University must work in coordination to improve the blood donation practice focusing on the regular voluntary blood donors.

Keywords:

• blood
• blood donation
• voluntary blood donation
• practice
• associated factors
• students
• Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

Data are available on reasonable request from corresponding author.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki declaration, and ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Wollega University. Cooperation letter was written from Wollega University, Institute of Health Sciences. The purpose of the study was clearly explained to the respondents, and they were told that the confidentiality is kept strictly. The respondents were also told that they have the right to involve or not at all in the study. Finally, informed, voluntary, written and signed consent was secured from the study participants and no personal detail was needed to record on the questionnaire.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the Wollega University, data collectors, study participants and supervisors for their cooperation.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was obtained to conduct this study.