Self-admitted motivating factors and barriers to blood donation in a single center from Southern India

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Delineating the motivating factors and hindrances for the donation is of utmost importance in planning recruitment strategies for blood donors in the success of blood transfusion services. This study attempts to evaluate the various reasons as to why or why not people donate blood. Methodology: This was an interview-based study. One hundred and fifty donors in each group, regular repeat donors and non-donors who were willing to be a part of the study and were capable of understanding the questionnaire were included in the study. Questionnaire enquired as to what motivated them to donate in case of regular repeat donors and as to why they never donated from non-donors. The responses were recorded and analyzed. Results: Forty-six percent of the respondents admitted that the friends who were already donors were the ones who influenced them to donate. People who never donated blood most commonly (47%) reported that they never donated because they were never asked to. The second-most common cause (32%) was that they perceived themselves to be not healthy enough to donate. Conclusion: This study suggests that individuals who have never donated might be influenced to donate if asked by coworkers, friends, or family while the blood center plays an important role in reminding or encouraging donors to return.

Keywords

• barriers
• blood donation
• motivators