Determinants of voluntary blood donation in the city of Bahir Dar: A case–control study

BACKGROUND: In a normal adult, the volume of blood needed to maintain physiological needs ranges from 5 liters to 6 liters. Disease and traumatic conditions may decrease this volume. Medically, this condition can be treated safely by blood transfusion. However, residents of the city of Bahir Dar have a low rate of volunteering to donate blood. No study has examined this situation, and therefore, this study was designed to fill this gap. AIM: The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of voluntary blood donation in the city of Bahir Dar. SETTING AND DESIGN: An unmatched case–control study design was used. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The sample size was calculated using Epi-Info Software, 109 cases and 218 controls were included in the study. Data were entered into the computer using Epi-Info and were analyzed using SPSS. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Logistic regression was used. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify the determinants. RESULTS: In this study, voluntary blood donation was more among male donors (AOR: 2.66; [95% CI: 1.03–6.88]), health professionals (AOR 18.56; [95% CI, 6.26–55.09]), negligence (AOR 0.12; [95% CI, 0.05–0.31]), lack of information (AOR 0.24; [95% CI, 0.1–0.58]), a convenient place (AOR 11.36; [95% CI, 3.61–35.73]), fear (AOR 0.26; [95% CI, 0.12–0.61]) and lack of opportunity (AOR 0.23; [95% CI, 0.1–0.52]). CONCLUSION: Decision-makers in the area of blood collection should work hard to create awareness on voluntary blood donation. High-level decision-makers and the other partners should endeavor to make blood collection locations more convenient.