Knowledge and Perceptions of Blood Safety among Blood Donors in Kelantan, Malaysia
10.21315/mjms2019.26.6.13
- Author:
Pei Pei Tan
1
;
Hafizuddin Mohamed Fauzi
1
;
Rosnah Bahar
2
;
Chee Tao Chang
3
;
Nur Arzuar Abdul Rahim
1
Author Information
1. Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2. Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
3. Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Keywords;
blood safety, blood donors, knowledge, perception, blood transfusion
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2019;26(6):127-136
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
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.
- Full text:3.2019my0832.pdf
