Saswati Subhadarshini1, Prakash M. Patil2
BACKGROUND
Blood transfusion is the major cause of infectious diseases in recipient and
transfusion related an infection (TRI) is the commonest cause of death. All
patients who require frequent blood transfusion like thalassemia patients are at
increased risk of transmitted related infections. However, there is a paucity of
studies regarding the awareness and attitude among the general population on
transfusion related infections.
The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitude towards
the blood transfusion related infections among voluntary blood donors and
factors relating to it.
METHODS
This was a cross sectional study conducted during voluntary blood donation
camps from the year January 2019 till December 2020. The blood donation
camps were conducted in various places of Vijayapura district. A total of 1732
voluntary blood donors comprised of both the genders from the age group of 18
- 60 years were taken in two years.
RESULTS
The overall knowledge about the TRI was good, but knowledge level was found
highest among the camps conducted in institutions and hospitals and lowest
among the general population mostly including females and elderly age group.
Among all 1732 voluntary blood donors, only 346 (20 %) donors had scored
their knowledge and awareness regarding transfusion related infections. All of
them fall into the age group category of 20 - 40 years. There was a positive
attitude in these donors about blood donation and transfusion related infections
but on the other side, there are few students who never donated blood and who
did not have any knowledge about the voluntary blood donations and transfusion
related infections.
CONCLUSIONS
Since educational programs about transfusion related infections are not
frequently conducted in developing countries, there is a need to emphasize
education as a key to improve population knowledge, awareness and attitude
towards the transfusion related infections. If appropriate strategies are designed
and implemented to improve knowledge and attitude, general population not
only becomes the future blood donor but also motivators and role models for the
community.
