Background
Despite blood transfusion has been available for the past 200 years; there is still a significant shortage of blood and blood products especially in low and middle income countries. In 2016 national blood demand of Ethiopia was estimated to be one million units per year, while only 17.4% (173,930) units of blood collected in the same year. Out of 25,400 units of blood requirement per year in West Hararghe, only 2750 units (10.8%) was collected in 2016 and 80% of these were from Civil servants. The aim of the study was to assess voluntary blood donation practice and associated factors among Chiro Town’s civil servants in 2018.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 civil servants selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using self-administer and pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between determinant factors and voluntary blood donation practice. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to identify factors associated with the outcome variables in the multivariable analysis. A P<0.05 and AOR with 95% CI were used to report significance and strength of multivariable association, respectively.
Results
The life -time voluntary blood donation practice among civil servants was 43.7%(38.3,49.3). Having willingness to donate, [AOR=2.54; 95%CI=1.39, 4.65], being knowledgeable about blood donation [AOR=3.32; 95%CI=2.02, 5.46] and listening to mass media [AOR=1.83; 95%CI=1.01, 3.35] were variables significantly associated with voluntary blood donation practice.
Conclusions
This study shows poor Voluntary Blood donation practice while, having knowledge, willingness and access to mass media are attributable factors for blood donation practice in the study area.