A Survey of Knowledge and Practices of Transfusion Medicine among Medical Doctors in Private Practice in Ibadan, Nigeria

Comprehensive knowledge of blood transfusion practices among clinicians has an important role in provision of safe blood but continuous education and the academic rigor is not as versatile in private sector as in tertiary hospitals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of clinicians in private practice in Ibadan on transfusion medicine. Eighty-one medical doctors from the 5 urban local government areas were enlisted in a multistage sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were employed and data analyzed using SPSS. Majority of clinicians were between the ages of 30-40 years (43.2%), had practiced for 0-5 years (42.0%) and prescribed blood transfusion at least once a month (44.4%). Male: female ratio was 4:1. The proportion of correct answers to the questions about age, minimum weight, Systolic Blood Pressure and Diastolic Blood pressure as criteria for selection of blood donor were as; 56.8%, 72.8 %, 71.6% and 81.5%, respectively. The proportion of correct answers to the questions on contraindications for the transfusion of platelet and cryoprecipitate were as; 54.3% and 9.9 %, respectively. The overall Knowledge score ranged from 22.0% to 93.0% (Mean= 49.0%; SD=37.7%). The mean knowledge score of indications and contraindications for transfusion of blood components are 79.2% and 34.2%, respectively. The study demonstrated significant gaps in knowledge of transfusion medicine. This can be closed by a more deliberate review of medical curricula, continuous medical education by professional groups and relevant stakeholders, as well as, a state-wide clinical audit of transfusion services.