Assessing Training Needs of Health Personnel on the Process of Selecting Blood Donors and Transfusion in the West Region of Cameroon

INTRODUCTION: Blood transfusion is a health care procedure that can expose the donor and receiver to risks. The knowledge and practices of healthcare personnel on blood transfusion are necessary to anticipate and/or prevent the occurrence of avoidable transfusion risks. The aim of this study was to assess the training needs of health personnel on blood donor selection procedure. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting health personnel in health facilities that reported contributing in offering blood transfusion services in the West region of Cameroon between March and May 2022. A questionnaire administered face to face was used to collect data from the targeted health personnel exhaustively included from health facilities. Knowledge and practices were assessed by estimating the rate of correct answers. STATA software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Of the 41 health facilities that reported offering blood transfusion services, 35 (85.3%) were covered. Category 5 and 4 health facilities were respectively 23 (65.7%) and 9 (25.7%). Among the 325 health personnel involved in transfusion, 302 (92.9%) were reached among which, 201 (66.6%) were female and 127 (42.1%) were nurses. Two hundred and ten (69.5%) had already received training on blood transfusion and 268 (88.7%) expressed a need for training on blood transfusion of which 139 (51.8%) on blood donors’ selection. Sixteen (5.3%) knew how to identify blood donor and 116 (38.4) knew the minimum required tests to be performed on the donors’ blood before the transfusion. Six (2.0%) out of 302 health personnel were able to select blood donors and identify minimum tests to be performed on donors’ blood. CONCLUSION: There is a real need for training of health personnel on the blood donor selection process. Health authorities should ensure that all health personnel involved in blood transfusion receive a minimum of training in blood donor selection and testing.