1Associate Professor, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar-122107, Haryana, India
2Assistant Professor, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi-110029, India
The need for blood is increasing in all parts of the world. The most important aim of all blood transfusion centres’ is to recruit donors from low-risk groups to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.
The aim of the study was to know the knowledge of medical students about blood donation and to identify the factors that motivates or discourages them from donation.
This study was carried out amongst all the students of a medical college. A self-assessment questionnaire including statements about blood donation, aimed to know level of knowledge, reasons for donation, and reasons for refraining from donation was distributed among students.
Out of 572 students, only minority of these students (31.4%) have donated blood previously. Majority of students (68.6%) have not donated blood previously due to lack of initiative. We came to know that altruism is still the driving force for blood donation. There is no significant difference in the level of knowledge of donors and non-donors.
These non-donors need to be motivated so that a good, safe source of blood can be maintained throughout the year.
Attitude, Blood donation, Medical students, Importance, Factors, Transfusion, Motivation
