ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
Umbilical cord blood was once a waste product. Now, years after the first successful cord blood transplant, it is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, compared to bone marrow and peripheral blood, which can cure children and adults from malignant and non-malignant diseases. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge and perception for cord blood banking among Malaysian pregnant women and also ascertain the willingness to pay. Population selected for this study is Malaysian pregnant women who visited the Mom & Baby Expo in Midvalley, Kuala Lumpur. 43% of the respondents aged between 18-25 years old with good education background, good job and total household income of more than RM 5,000. 89% of respondents were at the 1st trimester and 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Approximately about 47% of respondent had some knowledge of cord blood banking. Almost 90% of respondents agreed that storing the cord blood will be useful for future treatment. Approximately 54% of respondents agree that most of the information about cord blood banking were obtained from medical health care professional. The level of knowledge correlate with the education background, higher education level showed more knowledge. Majority of 93% have not stored their children’s umbilical cord blood before. Based on the perception, 41% of the respondents thought its unnecessary to store cord blood despite knowing it is not harmful for mother or baby. About 51% thinks that the price of the cord blood is very expensive. About 81% of respondent agree that the maximum benefit can be gained from storing the cord blood is to baby itself. 49% respondents agreed that about 25% and below possible chances that a child's cord blood could benefit for his siblings. After explanation, about 41% were sure to store cord blood compared to 68% prior to it. Approximately 78% prefer to store cord blood in public bank because no fee charged. Almost 50% respondents are not willing to pay the cost approximately RM3, 000. The survey also found that the most affordable price that they can pay is between RM 500- RM 1,000. Awareness is present but detailed knowledge regarding its exact benefits and advantages still unclear. Public education should be done by everyone instead of only medical personnel. A reduction in the cost of umbilical cord blood collection and preservation and more knowledge would motivate the public to store cord blood. More campaigns and awareness programs are necessary especially among the younger generation, the future parents.
Abotalib, Z. (2013). Importance of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine. Saudi Journal of Biological Science, 12, 1-34.
Armson, B. A. (2005). Umbilical cord blood banking: implications for perinatal care providers. Journal of Obstetic Gynaecology Cancer, 27(3), 263-90.
Butler, M., & Menitove, J. (2011). Umbilical cord blood banking: an update. Journal of Assist Reproductive Genetics, 28(8), 669-676.
Katz, G., Mills, A., Garcia, J., Hooper, K., McGuckin, C., Platz, A., Rebulla, P., Salvaterra, E.,
Schmidt, A., & Torrabadella, M. (2010). Banking cord blood stem cells: attitude and
knowledge of pregnant women in five European countries. Transfusion, 51(3), 578-586.
Lee, Y. (2014). Clinical utilization of cord blood over human health: experience of stem cell
transplantation and cell therapy using cord blood in Korea. Korean Journal of Pediatric,
57(3), 110.
Mckenna, D., Sheth, J. (2011). Umbilical cord blood: current status & promise for the future.
Indian Journal of Medical Respiration. 134, 261–269.
Palten, P., & Dudenhausen, J. (2010). A great lack of knowledge regarding umbilical cord blood banking among pregnant women in Berlin, Germany. Journal of Perinatal Medicine,
38(6), 651-657.
Parco, S., Vascotto, F., & Visconti, P. (2013). Public Banking of Umbilical Cord Blood or Storage in a Private Bank: Testing Social and Ethical Policy in Northeastern Italy. Journal of Blood Medicine, 4, 23-29.
Petrini, C. (2014). Umbilical Cord Blood Banking: From Personal Donation to International Public Registries to Global Bioeconomy. Journal of Blood Medicine, 5, 87-97.
Salvaterra, E., Casati, S., Bottardi, S., Brizzolara, A., Calistri, D., Cofano, R., Folliero, E., Lalatta, F., Maffioletti, C., Negri, M., & Rebulla, P. (2010). An analysis of decision making in cord blood donation through a participatory approach. Journal of Transfusion Apher Science,
42(3), 299-305.
Waller-Wise, R. (2011). Umbilical cord blood banking: implications for perinatal care providers. Journal of Perinatal Education, 20(1), 54-60.
In-Text Citation: (Naidu et al., 2021)
To Cite this Article: Naidu, B. N. M., Sukumaran, S., & Thiagarajah, S. (2021). Knowledge, Perception and Willingness to Pay for Cord Blood Banking: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(10), 1107 – 1120.
Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode