Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Blood Conservation Strategies amongst Physicians’ in Tertiary Hospitals

Aim: To assess the extent of available knowledge, as well as the attitudes and the utilization of blood conservation strategies amongst medical doctors, who are the implementers of blood transfusion and conservation in clinical practice.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Clinical Departments in both Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State and Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State between August 2013 and November 2013.

Methodology: We included clinicians from various medical specialties in the study (78 from public hospital and 26 from private hospital). A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was devised to collect data. Data was entered and analyzed descriptively and qualitatively.

Result: A total of 104 doctors participated in the study consisting of 57 males (54.80%) and 47 females (45.29%). Almost all participants had transfused blood in their practice and all participants were aware that blood transfusions have complications. Majority 80 (76.9%) had heard about blood conservation techniques, about 51 (49%) had used any of the strategies.

If available, 93 (89.4%) would use any of the strategies, only 1 (1%) would not.

Conclusion: There is a need for hospital transfusion committees to educate and increase the drive for utilization of blood conservation methods amongst doctors, so as to increase its practice.