Woldemichael Tadesse, Yohannes Ayalew, Engida Yisma, Misgan Legesse Liben and Mesfin Wudu
Background: In spite of, extensive efforts and a number of blood donation programs being organized worldwide, availability of adequate and safe blood still remains short to meet the increased demand in developing countries including Ethiopian. The major challenge was recruitment of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. Literatures identified that many factors are responsible such as, lack of knowledge, negative attitudes, and inconvenience for facilities. Increase level of knowledge and positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation in young people is highest priority. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional quantitative study was used to assess KAP and associated factors towards voluntary blood donation (VBD) among health science students of Samara University, Afar Northeast Ethiopia, using pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire. Stratified sampling method was used and individual was selected by simple random sampling method. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors. Predictor variables with p-values up to 0.25 in bivariate regression were entered to multivariate regression and p-value <0.05 used as cut-off point for a variable to became independent predictor. Association b/n outcome and predictor variables were calculated by odds ratio and 95% CI. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables. Result: Out of total participants, 67% were males and mean age range, 21.29 ± 1.66 years. Of them, 54% (95% [CI]: 49.0%-59.0%) of participant had adequate knowledge regarding VBD. Being students in department of midwifery increased odds of level of knowledge on VBD [AOR (95%CI)=1.95(1.02, 3.7)]. Of total, students 65.8% (95% [CI]: 61.0%-71.0%) had favorable attitude. Being students in department of midwifery and health officer increased odds of favorable attitude [AOR (95% CI)=1.943(1.066, 3.542) and 2.099(1.207, 3.649)] respectively. Less than one quarter, 83 (24.5%) (95% [CI]: 20.0%-29.0%) had ever donated blood. Being department of nursing increased odds of practice [AOR (95%CI)=1.881(1.002, 3.532)]. Conclusion: The level of knowledge on VBD was low while, significant number of students had unfavorable attitude towards VBD and there was poor practice. Therefore, it is better to incorporate short training course for health science students in the existing curriculum.
