# Understanding knowledge, attitude and practices of voluntary blood donations among medical students to strengthen safe transfusion practices

## TL;DR

This study explores medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about blood donation in Central India to improve safe transfusion practices.

## Contribution

The study highlights the need to integrate blood donation education into medical curricula to address knowledge gaps and promote voluntary donation.

## Key findings

- Only 46.2% of medical students had good overall knowledge about blood donation.
- Fear of pain was identified as the major barrier to blood donation among students.
- Despite limited knowledge, 72.6% of students had a positive attitude toward voluntary blood donation.

## Abstract

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding blood donation among 478 medical students in Central India is of interest. Only 46.2%
had good overall knowledge and key eligibility criteria were known by just over half. Despite limited knowledge, 72.6% held a positive
attitude toward voluntary donation. Fear of pain was the major barrier to donation. Thus, blood donation education into the medical
curriculum is important.