Determinants of awareness and attitudes toward umbilical cord blood donation and banking among pregnant women: the role of socioeconomic and religious factors.

Abstract

This study assessed pregnant women's awareness and attitudes toward umbilical cord blood donation and banking, and identified independent factors associated with awareness. This study was conducted in Gaziantep Province, Turkey, between March and June 2025, using a descriptive, cross-sectional design involving 204 pregnant women. Participants were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were collected via an online questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitudes towards umbilical cord blood donation and banking. Awareness levels were categorized as "no knowledge", "limited knowledge", and "sufficient knowledge", and dichotomized as "insufficient" versus "partial/sufficient" for regression analysis. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. In addition to descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with awareness of umbilical cord blood donation and banking. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The average age of the pregnant women was 30.38 ± 4.48. Only 3.9% had sufficient knowledge about UCB donation and banking, while the majority (96.1%) had never received any information about UCB donation, and none had ever donated before. The main reason for not donating was a lack of information (89.7%). The income and education level of the pregnant women were significantly associated with their knowledge and attitudes towards UCB donation and banking (p < 0.05). A family history of disease positively influenced knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.05), whereas religious beliefs negatively influenced donation intentions. Again, most pregnant women (79.9%) stated that they wanted to receive education about UCB donation and banking. Binary logistic regression analysis identified education level as the strongest independent predictor of awareness. In light of these findings, education on UCB donation and banking should be included in prenatal care processes. Involving women, families, and communities in awareness-raising initiatives can increase knowledge and participation in donation programmes.