Healthcare Worker's Intention to Donate Blood: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Introduction & Objective Despite the growth in total blood donation, there is a deficit between the amount of blood needed and collected. 1-3 In this study, we included the constructs from the psychological model, Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), concerning blood donation to understand the factors that motivate healthcare worker’s intention to donate blood. The TPB model has the potential to predict blood donation behaviour. The predictive value was ranged from 51-81%. 4-6 Regular blood donation, especially by the healthcare workers (HCWs), can contribute to a sustainable base of safe blood supply. HCWs are a potential pool of eligible but yet underexplored donors. 7 Understanding the various factors contributing to the voluntary blood donation intention among healthcare workers is crucial to enhance donor recruitment programs. This study aimed to identify factors explaining the intention to donate blood among HCWs in HTAA and HoSHAS. Results [Refer to Poster]. Discussion Younger age group, past behaviour, SN and PBC are associated with the intention to donate blood in which similar studies were done using the TBP model. The model explained 69.1% of the variance of intention to donate blood, which was consistent with other TBP studies on blood donation. Those who are knowledgeable in blood donation and gender does not influence the intention to donate blood. ATT was found not significant, which was inconsistent with other studies. It could be that there are other external factors (i.e., donation anxiety, self-identity, or moral norm) which affect the ATT . Age moderates the SN level in blood donation intention. In this sample, the younger age group with lower SN tends to have greater intention compare to the older age group. Limitation: convenience sampling, cross-sectional study and self-reported past behaviour. We cannot imply causality. Conclusion Knowledge regarding blood donation is sufficient among the study population. However, their intention towards it is moderately satisfactory. HCW’s intentions are associated with age, past behaviour, and perceived behavioural control regarding blood donation. Future research can be designed to promote efficient and effective intervention that would ultimately increase the blood donor recruitment and retention to the targeted population (younger age group HCWs) and their relatives or peers