Examining key issues with the utilization and quality of services in primary healthcare facilities in Rural and Urban areas in Nigeria

Background: Information on perception and practice of blood donation among potential donors may help in designing policies for improving services in low income countries. Aim: This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation among medical students in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at two medical schools among different classes in south eastern Nigeria. Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation of the respondents were sought using a validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 Inc Chicago Illinois, p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The age ranged between 19 to 46 (24.2± 3.2) years with 43.7% (n=169) respondents having good knowledge, 47.8% (n=181) corresponding to average knowledge, and 37(9.6%) having poor knowledge of blood donation. There was a strong association between level of knowledge and respondents' year of study (p = 0.001) but no significant association was observed between level of knowledge and practice of blood donation (p = 0.23). The blood donation rate was 31.0%.Whereas about a 40% (10.3%) of blood donors were regular blood donors, 69% had never donated blood. Majority of both the donors (85%) and non-donors (92.1%) opined that blood donation should be voluntary and non-remunerated. Conclusion: Nigerian medical students have reasonable knowledge of blood donation. Their attitude toward blood donation is quite favorable. Policy makers in the health sector can utilize this interesting observation in designing strategies for improving the quantity as well as quality of blood donation in Nigeria.