Orientation programmes were conducted from February to July 2023, in undergraduate and postgraduate degree colleges of rural part of karnataka to educate the students about blood donation. The google link containing details about the study, consent of the participant and questionnaire on KAP was sent to the participants before and after the awareness programme on mobile phone.

Institutional ethical clearance was taken before the start of study.

A total of 315 respondents participated in the study. Among these 54% were males and 46% were females and the median age of all the respondents is 19 years, and the highest number of them were undergraduate students.

A series of questions were asked to assess respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards blood donation. The same is depicted in the table below:

A statistically significant correlation was found between the change in the knowledge, attitude and practices of the students before and after the awareness programme with the p value of 1.46x10^-10, which is less than 0.05 indicating statistically significant difference in test scores before and after the awareness program based on paired t-test.

This study demonstrated a noteworthy surge in awareness among the enrolled students, reflected in the mean pre-test and post-test scores of 8.2 and 14.2, respectively. Notably, 82% of participants had not engaged in blood donation prior to the program, yet an impressive 95.2% conveyed a newfound willingness to contribute in the future. A mere 67% were acquainted with their blood group before the intervention.

One particularly impactful outcome was the dispelling of the misconception associating blood donation with HIV/AIDS. This correction in perception was observed in 57% of the participants, underscoring the efficacy of the program in altering entrenched beliefs and fostering accurate understanding.

Blood transfusion plays an indispensable and pivotal role in the realm of global healthcare, serving as a lifeline that annually rescues countless lives. This essential medical intervention stands as a testament to our collective commitment to preserving and enhancing human health. Every second, someone in the world needs blood for surgical or gynecological conditions. 5

In a study conducted by Devi et al., the research aimed to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of medical students in relation to blood donation. The study findings indicated that only 33.1%of the students possessed sufficient knowledge in this area. 6 Interestingly, a substantially higher percentage, 89.8%, expressed their strong willingness to participate in future blood donation activities. In the present study, it was observed that prior to the implementation of the awareness program, students exhibited an average knowledge level of 59%. Remarkably, following the awareness program, there was a significant and noteworthy increase in knowledge, with the average knowledge level rising to an impressive 94%. An overwhelming 95.2% of individuals exhibited a resounding eagerness to actively engage in future blood donation endeavors. Moreover, an elevated inclination towards future blood donation emerges consistently across numerous studies. These outcomes underscore the imperative for consistent educational initiatives and training programs tailored for college students. Such programs should emphasize the principles of safe and voluntary blood donation, thereby not only addressing knowledge gaps but also facilitating the transformation of willingness into tangible blood donation actions.

In a study by Bachhotiya et al. has underscored the significance of conducting interactive awareness sessions with students. Their research findings also highlighted the remarkable effectiveness of field visits to blood donation centers in fostering a heightened sense of motivation and commitment towards voluntary blood donation. 7 The objective of this study was to evaluate the transformation in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding voluntary blood donation among college students residing in and around the Kolar district.

Three hundred and fifteen students were included in the study out of which 59% were males and 46% were females. Understanding one's blood group holds significant importance, as it facilitates swift arrangements for blood in times of emergencies. This knowledge not only benefits the individual in need but also enables them to assist others efficiently. In this study 67.3% of students were already aware of their blood group which is comparatively high level of awareness compared to study done by kumari and Raina. 8

A remarkable 95.2% of the study participants not only recognized the importance of blood donation but also expressed a genuine willingness to actively participate in the process themselves. This high percentage of willing potential donors is a sign in favor of voluntary blood donation.

The prevalence of blood donors in this study was 18.1%, out of which 22% were males and only 11% were females. Similar findings have been reported in studies by Kumari and Raina (13.81%) 8 and Desai and Satapara (21.3%). 9 During interactive sessions with the study participants, a prevalent sentiment emerged. While they expressed a genuine desire to contribute to blood donation, many expressed their ineligibility due to specific criteria such as the minimum hemoglobin requirement of 12.5 gm% or being underweight, defined as less than 45 kg. While maintaining stringent donor selection criteria is vital for ensuring donor safety, the notable number of students reporting anemia and low body weight raises legitimate concerns within this context.

The findings of the current study unveiled a noteworthy correlation between knowledge and attitude, suggesting that addressing specific knowledge gaps has the potential to positively influence attitudes. In other words, by mitigating these knowledge gaps, there is a likelihood of fostering more favorable attitudes towards the subject under consideration. Also screening of college students fitness for blood donation will highlight bring forward those who have anemia or other diseases. This also helps us to provide appropriate management of such students.

The findings of this cross-sectional prospective study highlight the positive impact of the awareness program on the KAP of college students regarding blood donation. However, the prevalence of blood donation among the students is still low, especially among the girls. This reflects a need for ongoing, educational and motivational activities for encouraging voluntary blood donation by the students. Regular health checkups along with provision of nutritious meals in college canteens and hostel mess, etc., should be ensured for the students.

This study illuminates the substantial positive influence of targeted awareness programs on college students, demonstrating significant increases in awareness and dispelling misconceptions. By evaluating changes in KAP, the research emphasizes the potential of regular pre-donation awareness initiatives to not only boost donation rates but also foster a dedicated team capable of disseminating accurate information about blood donation. The findings underscore the pivotal role of education in bridging the gap between demand and supply in the context of blood donation.