Local public knowledge of blood donation systems in Trinidad and Tobago and in other places

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Trinidad and Tobago (TRT) publicAEs knowledge of donation procedures locally and in the United States (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) and its effect on willingness to donate blood locally. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample from adults in TRT concerning knowledge and attitudes towards blood donation. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. 529 responses were received. Analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 21. Chi-squared testing was done to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Of 529 respondents, 141 (26.7%) had donated previously, 34 (6.4%) had been excluded and 354 (66.9%) had never donated. 76.8% of those who had donated did so for a friend or family member. 53.6% of respondents rated their knowledge of TRTAEs system, and 86.2% rated that of the US and UK, as aepoorAE or aevery poorAE. Knowledge of the local system was directly correlated to willingness to donate blood in TRT (p