Knowledge and Perceptions of Blood Safety among Blood Donors in Kelantan, Malaysia
Pei Pei Tana, Hafizuddin Mohamed Fauzia, Rosnah Baharb, Chee Tao Changc d e, Nur Arzuar Abdul Rahima
- aRegenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- bDepartment of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- cClinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia
- dClinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun
- eMinistry of Health Malaysia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Unsafe blood products may cause transfusion-transmissible infections. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of blood donors regarding blood safety. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Kelantan state of Malaysia. The questionnaire comprised 39 questions that covered areas such as donors' social demographic information, knowledge of transfusion-transmitted diseases, blood screening and donor eligibility and perceptions towards blood safety. The knowledge score was categorised as good or poor. RESULTS: Of the 450 distributed questionnaires, 389 were suitable for analysis. Only 18.5% of the donors had good knowledge, with 81.5% having poor knowledge. Less than 30% were aware that people with multiple sexual partners, bisexual people and male homosexual people are permanently deferred from blood donation. Only 29.4% agreed that donors are responsible if their blood causes infection. Furthermore, 39.3% assumed that they could check their HIV status through blood donation, and 10.3% and 5.4% of the respondents believed that donors are free from infection if they wear a condom during sex or only have oral sex when involved in prostitution, respectively. CONCLUSION: Poor knowledge and notable misperceptions concerning safe blood donation were found among blood donors. The Ministry of Health should incorporate safe blood education in future public awareness programmes.
TL;DRPoor knowledge and notable misperceptions concerning safe blood donation were found among blood donors and the Ministry of Health should incorporate safe blood education in future public awareness programmes. (Semantic Scholar)