Attitude and Knowledge of Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation among Clinical Medical Students in a Tertiary Institution in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Blood transfusion is an important component of the management of patients with various medical and surgical conditions. Blood is scarce and the efficiency of blood transfusion service relies on the availability of safe blood from voluntary non-remunerated donors. Medical students can serve as models to inculcate the habit of blood donation among other students and be a steady pool of voluntary blood donors. This study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary blood donation among clinical medical students in a private tertiary institution in the North-Central Zone of Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving the clinical students of Bingham University Jos, Nigeria. Self- administered structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 304 clinical students participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 22.9 years with a standard deviation of 2.3years. Female participants were 163 (53.6%). Most of the respondents 206 (67.8%) had good knowledge of blood donation. The majority 254 (83.6%) of respondents had a good attitude toward voluntary blood donation. Most 226 (74. 3%) responded positively towards voluntary blood donation; however, only 98 (32. 2%) had ever donated blood. Most of the respondents who donated blood did it just once 62 (20.3%). The commonest reason for inertia to voluntary blood donation was fear of dizziness and fainting attacks 106 (34.9%). Many of the respondents would be motivated to donate blood if drinks 155 (51%) and food 151 (49.7%) were offered. There was a significant association between knowledge of blood donation and the participants' gender (p = 0.038), class in medical school (p = 0.001), and their attitude (p = 0.001) to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. Conclusion: The medical students had good knowledge and a good attitude toward voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. Although the majority expressed a good attitude towards voluntary blood donation, the practice was poor. Increased awareness and education about voluntary blood donation among medical students can increase the number of voluntary blood donors in Nigeria. In addition, the provision of food and drinks in blood donation stations can serve as motivation for voluntary blood donors.