Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Plasma donation among COVID-19 recovered patients in Rawalpindi, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background: Convalescent plasma therapy has gained worldwide attention since its inception as a soul therapy for critically ill COVID-19 patients. This study sought to ascertain survivors'knowledge, attitudes and practice about plasma donation. Methodology: In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, a cross-sectional study was conducted in COVID-19 recovered patients. Simple random sampling was used to choose 383 people. The data collection instrument was a prestructured online questionnaire. SPSS version 26 was used to enter and analyse the data. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression were used. Results: Two hundred and twenty-three (58.2%) and 326 (85.1%) of 383 individuals had sufficient knowledge and a favourable attitude towards plasma donation respectively. In 109 (28.5%) of the participants, plasma donation practice was seen. People with graduate (AOR = 5.30, p < 0.05) and postgraduate level education (7.75, p < 0.05) were found to have significantly higher knowledge as compared to people with secondary school as the highest level of education. Plasma donation practice was shown to be strongly related with plasma donation knowledge (AOR = 3.78, p < 0.001) and attitude (AOR = 4.48, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite the fact that the majority of people had a positive outlook and were well-informed, plasma donation was rare. The lower practice was associated with trepidation of contracting a health issue.