Abstract:
Introduction: World health organization recommend that 1 to 3% of countries population should donate blood to meet its demand and should focus on young people to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation. To the best of my knowledge, there is no researches done on voluntary blood donation and associated factors specifically on the study area using integrated behavioral model.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess voluntary blood donation and associated factors among Bahir dar university students, application of integrated behavioral model.
Method: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar University from March 1-21 /2020. Multi-stage sampling techniques was applying to select 625 study participants. Data was collected by self-administered pre tested questionnaire by trained data collectors. Data was entered in Epi data version 3.1 and then export to SPSS version 23.0 for analysis. Path analysis using Stata 15 was done to check causal effect of the IBM constructs on voluntary blood donation. Internal consistency of the items and validity was cheeked using Cronbach’s alpha and exploratory factor analysis respectively. Multivariable linear and logistics regression were used to predict independent predictors on intention and voluntary blood donation respectively. The significant independent predictor was declared at 95% confidence interval and P-value of less than 0.05.
RESULT: One hundred four (16.8 %) Bahir Dar university students donate blood voluntarily. Being female (AOR=1.92(1.15-3.22), being third year (AOR=2.88(1.55-5.35), knowledge (AOR=1.53(1.32-1.77), descriptive norm (AOR=1.10(1.01-1.12) and intention (AOR=1.42(1.28-1.57) were positively associated with blood donation. Injunctive norm (B=0.06) and self-efficacy (B=0.364) have significant association with intention. path analysis showed that experiential attitude, injunctive norm and self-efficacy have effect on intention with path coefficient -0.0516566, 0.006279 and 0.3636769 respectively. Intention, descriptive norm and knowledge have significant effect on blood donation with path coefficient 0.036,0.095 and 0.475 respectively.
CONCLUSION: The magnitude of voluntary blood donation was low among Bahir dar university students. Descriptive norm, intention, knowledge, sex, year of study were significant predictors associated with voluntary blood donation which can be used to develop behavioral change health communication strategies among Bahir dar university students.
Key words: Integrated behavioral model, voluntary blood donation