DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i05.059

Pages: 1985-1988

Blood donation saves lives during critical situations but, some of the patients needing transfusions do not receive timely access to safe blood. Safe blood is the one, which does not contain any viruses, parasites, drugs, alcohol, chemical substances that might cause harm, danger or disease to the recipient. The general public in many developing countries is laced with ignorance, misperceptions and fear about blood donation process, with the result that there are few voluntary donations. Lack of knowledge, fear, facilities, convenience and quality of service are some of the common factors that play up in the people’s mind while deciding whether to donate blood on voluntary basis. Objectives of the study were to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of people residing in rural and urban communities towards voluntary blood donation and to motivate them to voluntary blood donation. It was a community based cross sectional study conducted in rural and urban field practice areas of SIMS, medical college, Shivamogga. It was observed that people had a positive attitude towards blood donation, but the practice of people towards blood donation is poor among both urban and rural areas because of the factors like lack of self-interest, fear and wrong beliefs. Thus, regular organization of awareness programs followed by blood donation camps may helpful in improving the practice among the people regarding blood donation.