Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Evaluation of Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Donor Retention in South Western Nigeria

Sunday Peter Ogundeji, Oladapo Wale Aworanti*, Adedayo Qasim Oladele, Titilola Stella Akingbola and Foluke Atinuke Fasola

Background and objectives: Inadequate availability of blood remains a huge challenge to effective healthcare delivery particularly in Africa where rates of blood donation ranges from as low as 3.9 per 1,000 in West Africa to 10.4 per 1,000 in Southern Africa compared to 31.5 per 1,000 in developed countries. Factors that motivate or deter blood donation including socioeconomic factors should be identified and addressed. Low knowledge about blood donation, fear due to lack of knowledge and discouraging spiritual, religious and cultural perceptions of blood, age, educational status, income level and marital status are some socioeconomic factors affecting voluntary blood donation in Nigeria.

Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study design carried out among voluntary blood donors who participated in 2022 world blood donor day. Self-administered questionnaire data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA).

Results: Two hundred and fifty donors were included in this study. The mean age of the donors was 30.9 ± 11.5 years and majority (72.0%) was males. About four-fifth of the donors reside in urban center and had at least tertiary education. The average monthly income of the donors was 50,000 naira ($100). Educational level and previous blood donation were two important predictor of voluntary blood donation.

Conclusion: The identified factors that promote voluntary blood donation are higher educational level and having donated previously. Recruitment of students in higher institution of learning as first time donors and retention in the donor pool are important strategies towards self-sufficiency in blood supply.

Published Date: 2023-08-25; Received Date: 2023-07-19