Ethical and cultural concerns for health professionals, media and the public in promoting adequate and safe blood transfusion services in Africa: a case study of Ghana

Background:

Africa has an annual shortfall of 2 million units for blood transfusion. Ethical concerns abound in the area of providing effective blood transfusion services. Many Africans have strong cultural and spiritual beliefs about blood. Blood transfusion services rely on donations from the general public and therefore the public and journalists’ view of blood and blood donation is absolutely critical. In Ghana, a myjoyonline.com news story ‘Girl 15 dies, as lab technician ‘denies’ her blood at Effia Nkwanta hospital’ led to such comments (sic) as ‘I will never donate again in my life...’ and ‘I would be the LAST to DONATE BLOOD in Ghana!’ Also, news stories about some voluntary blood donors testing HIV-positive may dissuade prospective blood donors from donating blood because of associated stigma. The media’s significant role in blood donations raises ethical implications for journalists, and the public. Yet, studies that examine the ethical and cultural concerns among these actors and promote culturally appropriate interventions, are rare.