| dc.description.abstract | Blood is needed in a variety of situations, including surgeries, emergencies, and chronic diseases such as cancer and sickle cell disease. However, despite the constant need for blood, donation rates are often low, and many individuals do not participate in blood donation activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the lowest blood donation rates. The country relies heavily on replacement donors, who are family members or friends of patients in need of blood. This practice poses several risks, including the transmission of infections, as these donors are not screened as rigorously as voluntary donors. In 2019, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Uganda collected a total of 289,867 units of blood, which was a significant increase from the 218,000 units collected in 2018. However, this figure falls short of the country's annual requirement of 350,000 units, resulting in a persistent shortage of blood and blood products in health care facilities. The NBTS has been working to improve blood donation rates in Uganda by conducting public awareness campaigns, recruiting voluntary donors, and establishing blood donation centers in various regions of the country. Despite these efforts, cultural and social beliefs and misconceptions surrounding blood donation continue to impede progress in this area. Many Ugandans fear that donating blood may lead to health complications, while others believe that it is against their religious or cultural beliefs | en_US |
