Knowledge, attitude and practice of the population of Zahedan province about blood donation

Background and ObjectivesBlood donation rate in developed countries is 18 times higher than developing countries. It is estimated that if only five percent of Iran population embark on blood donation, it will be adequate for community needs to be met. The study of the knowledge and attitude on a population basis helps managers make better plans to promote blood donation behavior. Materials and MethodsIn a cross-sectional study in 2007, 319 cases aged between 18 to 60 years were selected randomly from five different geographical places in Zahedan. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection; to extract relevant information from respondents to complete the questionnaires, interviews were conducted. Then, the obtained data were finally analyzed by correlation, t-test, and ANOVA using SPSS 11.5. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 29 years. Out of the total number of participants, 61.6% were male and 57.4% married. Out of the same number, 40.1% had donated blood at least once in the past; out of the latter 50% had donated more than thrice and 10.7% regularly. The mean score of knowledge was 3.4% ± 1.3 out of 8 and the mean score of attitude 19.8 ± 2.4 out of 24. The lowest knowledge rate pertained to "proper age for donation". Men had donated more significantly than others. The main source of information for blood donors was radio and television. ConclusionsThe results showed that for blood donation to be promoted, spiritual motivation should be enhanced.