Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July-September | Volume: 5 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 87-94
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Blood Donation among University Students in Kashmir valley
1Bilal Ahmad Bhat, 2Syed Sabahat Ashraf, 3Shaziya Gull, 4Aadil Tibetbaqal, 5Naveena Nazim, 1Mir Misba Sultan, 4Nusrat, 6Shazia Gul, 6Nazish Amin, 6Ishrat Mushtaq Mir, 7Intizar Ahmad
1Division of Social Science, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
2Regional Research Institute Of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh Campus, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal. Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K
3Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K
4IMFA, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar J&K
5College of Temperate Sericulture-Mirgund, SKUAST-Kashmir, Post Box No.674, GPO-Srinagar Kashmir, J&K
6Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Kashmir, J&K
7S.H.Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006
Corresponding Author: Bilal Ahmad Bhat
ABSTRACT
Background: Young, healthy and physically fit students can play a vital role in blood donation. Youth constitute a good proportion of the Kashmiri population so it is very important that we encourage, inspire and motivate them to donate blood on regular basis voluntarily rather than on need basis. The present study was conducted in Kashmir valley to assess the University student’s awareness and attitude towards blood donation.
Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 800 University students selected at random from various Universities of Kashmir valley using stratified random sampling technique were evaluated using a well-designed validated questionnaire. The information collected on socio-demographic variables, knowledge and attitude of students towards blood donation was assessed using appropriate statistical tools.
Results: A total of 800 students, 50% boys and 50% girls were evaluated in present study. The results of our study showed that only (5.5%) of total respondents had a history of blood donation and out of these respondents 90% respondents donate only once. The study reveals that the most mentioned reasons behind not donating blood were; not being asked to donate blood (43.5%); inconsideration of donation (29.5%) and fear of drawing blood (27.0%). The study also revealed that 53.5% students had adequate knowledge regarding blood donation and 93.5% students understudy showed positive attitude towards blood donation. The male students were more knowledgeable and showed more interest in donating blood than female respondents.
Conclusion: The current study showed that inadequate knowledge was prevalent among substantial proportion of University students in Kashmir valley, and there was a significant disparity in Knowledge between male and female students. The study further, showed despite the positive attitude of students towards blood donation, only 5.5% students had history of blood donation. It was concluded that blood donation camps and education programs are necessary to motivate youth and increase awareness towards voluntary blood donation rather than donating blood on need basis.
Keywords: Kashmir, Blood donors, Students, Knowledge, Attitude, Statistics