Background and Objectives Severe anaemia, for which a blood transfusion can be
life saving, is common in hospitalized children in sub-Saharan Africa but blood for
transfusion is often in short supply. Umbilical cord blood is usually thrown away but
could be a useful source of red cells for small volume transfusions in young children
in this setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of women
using the maternity services of the provincial hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, towards
cord blood donation and transfusion, and essential aspects of this process including
informed consent and the acceptability of screening for human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infection.
Materials and Methods A structured questionnaire was developed based on data
provided by focus group discussions with women attending the hospital’s
maternity unit and administered to women who had recently delivered at the
hospital.
Results Of the 180 women who completed a questionnaire, the donation and transfusion
of cord blood were acceptable to 81% and 78%, respectively. Ninety per cent
of women who supported cord blood donation were willing to undergo further HIV
testing at the time of delivery. Seventy-seven per cent of women wanted informed
consent to be sought for cord blood donation and 66% of these felt they could make
this decision alone.
Conclusion The donation of umbilical cord blood and its transfusion are acceptable
to the majority of women delivering at Coast Provincial General Hospital, Mombasa.
Findings from the study will benefit the planned cord blood donation programme at
this facility