A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Blood Donation Among Higher Secondary Students in Selected Schools of Mehsana District, Gujarat

Background-Gujarat is one of the leading states in the country in terms of total collection of blood units against the requirements as our last year's (2011-12) per capita blood donation was 1.32%. In our state the total blood collection is 7.95 lakhs units and voluntary blood donation has increased from 71.4% in 2008-09 to 82% in financial year (April-11to March-12).¹

Aims and objective- To determine the association between the knowledge scores of the higher secondary students with the selected demographic variables.

Material and Methods- A Descriptive survey approach with descriptive research design was used. 150higher secondary students belonging to the Bhandu and Unjha villages of Mehsana districts were selected by using purposive sampling technique. A 22 items structured questionnaire was used.

Result-findings revealed that highest percentages (66%) were in the age group of 17- 18 year, and (28.66%) of them were in the age group of 14-16 years, ( 58.67%) were females, (50.67%) were had 12^th , (72%) were in city, (96.67%) were Hindu, (100%) were not donated blood, (57.33%) family member had not any information regarding blood donation, (96.67%) family had not any blood disorder, (50%) students had knowledge regarding blood donation. Study findings revealed that there was significant association was found between levels of knowledge of higher secondary school students with age. No association found with other demographic variable.