Background: Human Blood is considered as “liquid of life” as it is not replaced by any artificially prepared medicine, though there are tremendous advances in medical sciences. On the other hand advances in medicine have increased the requirement of blood and its products. Globally there is huge disparity between demand and supply. India being the 2nd most populous country in the world is not different with global statistics and has a huge blood requirement, but ironically voluntary blood donation is meager. Many studies done outside India have shown that understanding Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) about blood donation have helped the governments and health care policy makers to fulfill the pitfalls, thereby increasing the number of voluntary blood donations. In a country like India, where myths, misconceptions, taboos and superstitions pose a barrier to deliver healthcare specially hospitals which cater rural population KAP studies will help to understand and device a system which would encourage voluntary blood donors. Objective: To study Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) about blood donation, in people attending rural district secondary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study among outpatients and inpatients attending rural district hospital using self developed questionnaire preferably multiple choice questions (MCQ’S) pattern, with paper and pencil technique. SPSS software and MS excel sheet were used to analyze the data. Results: Analysis of data revealed most of the blood donors were middle aged men compared to their counterpart women. High score knowledge about blood donation was noted among graduates and post graduates with comparable results among voluntary blood donor for more than five times. Middle class people had more number of donors compared to higher class and lower class. Attitude to donate a friend or a relative was common compared to anonymous donation (Altruism)104(28.88%). 231(64.16%)of people knew where blood bank in their locality located.68(18.88%)felt happy and satisfied about blood donation. Only 86(23.88%) donors were encouraged by their family. Conclusion: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) about blood donation is affected by regional culture, religion and socioeconomic factors. By accessing KAP of the community shortcomings can be met which could change the KAP in a direction to improve voluntary donations. In continuation to this thought of donating blood can be brought in to practice by using social, mass or print media.

Keywords: Attitude; Blood donation; Knowledge; Practice; Voluntary.