Declining frequency of blood donation among elites in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluate d the causes of declining.' frequency of voluntary blood donations among educated elites as seen at the blood bank of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Maiduguri. Nigeria , over the last decade . The number of blood units received from educated elite donoisdunn e a 10-year period (1995-20(14) at the blood bank were determined and expressed as percentages of total donations collected annually. The reasons for elite donor default were obtained through the use " questionnaires filed by defaulting donors. T h e proportion of educated elite donations steadily fell from 2 8 ^ m 1995 to 7'* in ?(K)4. Reason s for defaulting from voluntary blood donations included fear of H I V screening in 86.7 W of respondents. economic hardship/poo r nourishment in 50. M of respondents. changed address/logistic difficulties m 4.8'/< of respondents and ill health in 2.4 of respondents. Therefore. the steady fall in the proportion of elite donors over the years was mainly due to fear of HIV screening coupled with economic difficulties. Hence , there is the need to review our donor campaign strategy with respect to pre donation counseling f or HIV, initiate regular haematinics supplementation for donors and introduce sustainable mobile donor clinic services for distant donors. Furthermore , there is the need for a functional national blood transfusion service in Nigeria