Blood donation/intention among healthcare workers in a teaching hospital in Central Ghana

Purpose The study aimed to assess factors associated with blood donation/intention among healthcare workers at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Central Region, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 458 healthcare workers, selected via stratified and systematic random sampling. They responded to a structured questionnaire that had been validated by earlier researchers. Data was collected using a validated structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. STATA v17 was used, and a level of significance of p < 0.05 at 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was accepted. Findings Only 36.3% of respondents (455/458; response rate: 99.3%) had ever donated blood. Males were significantly more likely to donate than females (AOR = 0.63; 95% CI = [0.41; 0.98]). Past donors exhibited stronger future donation intentions (AOR = 8.68; 95% CI = [3.82; 19.73]). Community factors such as cultural/religious acceptance and peer/family influence were key predictors of donation behaviour (p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications As a single-institution quantitative study, findings may not be generalisable. Future research should incorporate qualitative methods to explore contextual barriers. Practical implications The low donation rate (36.3%) underscores the need for gender-sensitive and community-driven campaigns to address cultural and social deterrents among healthcare workers. Social implications Community factors most likely influence the practice of blood donation. Hence, more attention should be paid to these factors when designing interventions to bring about blood donation behavioural change. Originality/value This study highlights the understudied role of sex, intention, and socio-cultural norms in blood donation behaviour within Ghana's healthcare workforce, offering evidence for localised intervention strategies.