Abstract:
Back ground: The discovery of blood circulation in 1628 has made an important mile
stone in the history of transfusion medicine. Although the first successful blood
transfusion occurred in 1818, Scientists had put quite a lot of effort earlier than this
period. Despite the fact that blood transfusion service has about 200 years of history,
there is still a significant shortage of blood and blood products particularly in the
developing world. In 2016/17 the annual blood demand of Ethiopia was estimated to be
1,000,000 units per year, yet17.4% (173,930) units of blood collected in the same year.
Out of 25,400units of blood requirement per year in Western Hararghe, only 2750units
(10.8%) was collected in 2016/2017 and 80% of this was from Civil servants which
accounted 7.3% of total Civil Servants in the zone.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess blood donation practice and factors associated
with blood donation among chiro town civil servants between March10/2018 to April
20/ 2018.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 civil servants selected by
random sampling. Quantitative data was collected using self-administer questionnaire
that 383(95%) of Civil servants were responded. Qualitative data was collected through
focus group discussions. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 through descriptive,
bivariate and multivariate analyses of Logistic regression model.
Result: The life time blood donation practice among civil servants was 43.7% [95%
CI=38.3, 49.3].During analysis multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that
having willingness of blood donation significantly increase odds of blood donation
practice [AOR=2.54 95%CI=1.39, 4.65].Blood donation practice was 3.24times higher
among Civil servants whose were knowledgeable on blood donation compared to those
were not knowledgeable [AOR=3.24 95% CI=1.97, 5.31].
Conclusion: Blood donation practice was low in the study area compared to World
Health Organization recommendations. Knowledgeable on blood donation and having
willingness of blood donation were sound factors associated with blood donation
practice in the study.
