Intention to Donate Blood Among Health Care Workers of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Many people in the developing world die unnecessarily because of a shortage of blood for those in need. Securing sufficient blood in health care facilities is among the crucial components of effective health care services delivery. Health care workers are very close to patients in need of blood transfusion than anyone else. However, the donation of blood mostly depends voluntarily. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of intention to donate blood and associated factors among health care workers of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted applying the Theory of Planned Behavior from November to December 2018. A total of 394 participants recruited the study with a response rate was 97%. Health centers were selected randomly and then the total sample size was proportionally allocated based on the number of health workers in each health center. A simple random sampling method was applied to select study participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Pearson Correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation of intention with the theory of planned behavior constructs. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to identify predictors of intention to blood donation. Standardized β coefficients and adjusted R2 values were used to interpret the effects and variability in the dependent variable, respectively. A P -value of P<0.05 was used to declare the presence of a statistical association. Result: The theory of planned behavior explained 34.8% of the total variability of intention to donate blood. The Mean of participants Intention to donate is 10.73 (+SD 3.04). Attitude to donate blood [β=.303; P<0.0001]; Subjective norm [β=.320; P<0.0001]; Perceived behavioral control [β=.101; P<0.001]. Socio-demographic variables, knowledge about donation and donation experience did not predict the intention to donate blood. Conclusion and Recommendations: Attitude to donate blood, Subjective norm towards blood donation, and perceived behavioral control to donate blood were significant predictors of behavioral intention to donate blood explaining 34.8% of total variability in the behavioral intention to donate blood. Interventions aimed at addressing attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control need are recommended.