A study to assess barriers towards blood donation among undergraduate students of School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia /
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Date
2011
Authors
Fung, Kong Siik
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blood banks
Abstract
This research is to assess the potential barriers that mainly influence the intention
of donors to donate blood among undergraduate students of School of Health Sciences,
Universiti Sains Malaysia. In order to maintain a safe and adequate blood supplies it
needs proper recruitment, retention and renewal of active voluntary donor to support the
increasing demands of blood. This research was conducted using a blood donation study
questionnaire from Laval University, Canada which comprise of 5-Likert Scale questions.
Ninety-two undergraduate students from 4 different years of studying were recruited as
respondents for this research. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS program
version 18.0 and data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-Square
correlation. Among ninety-two respondents (79.3% female and 19.6% male students)
only thirty-five respondents (39.1%) ever donated before, with 14.3% shows low intention
to return for next donation and 85. 7% has high intention. From the donors' point of view,
factors or barriers that decreases their intention to donate blood was location as the
major cause (97.1%), not knowing how their blood is utilized (65.7%), afraid of faint or
syncopal attack (51.4%), rewards upon donating (48.6%), afraid of needles (34.3%),
health or medical problems (31.4%) and accompany from friend (22.9%). This study
shows that the lowest barriers which does not influence intention to donate is not being
informed regarding low blood supplies (17.1%). The low score achieved by the
respondents, it shows the barriers stated above does has high influence on the intention
to donate blood. This suggests urgent attention to improve the condition. This study concludes that information on the strategies to solve the barrier is via providing
education on blood donation and its process accompanied by spreading knowledge
regarding donor recruitment. The results had shown that to improve the number of blood
donors, understanding of donors experience and providing support is important.
Description
Keywords
Blood banks