Blood transfusion in a developing society. Who is the best blood donor?

Metivier

Sammy

et al. 2018

ISBT Science Series

Background and objectives Trinidad and Tobago is a developing country with a hospital‐based, replacement blood donation system, low annual donation rate and high frequency of donor transfusion transmissible infections. Previous studies suggest a need for more information to improve total donations and encourage conversion to voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation. The aim of this study was to investigate public knowledge and perceptions about receiving blood to derive information for designing a safe blood donation campaign. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey was administered to a non‐randomly selected sample of adults at seven health centres. Participants were surveyed for demographics, knowledge of the local transfusion service, confidence in safety checks and attitudes to blood receipt. Results Of 400 respondents, a substantial proportion (38·2%) was unaware of inadequate blood bank stock. Only 18·4% correctly identified the method of blood donor recruitment in the country. Only 1·2% of participants were able to identify all from a list of six scenarios, in which blood is transfused. Although 86% would accept transfusion, most (84%) of these had concerns about acquiring infections and hospital‐related activities. Young persons and females had higher risk perception (P = 0·026 and P = 0·041). There was a positive association between confidence in the safety of blood donation processes and willingness to accept transfusion. Conclusion A blood donor education programme should include all processes from donor recruitment to component administration to reduce the perceived risk of receiving blood in Trinidad and Tobago.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Metivier

Sammy

et al. 2018

ISBT Science Series

“…This arrangement has survived decades of recommendations from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), which advocate voluntary non‐remunerated blood donors (VNRD) for safety, adequacy and equal access (World Health Assembly, ; PAHO, , , , ). As a result, there is chronic blood shortage relative to the requirements of the country's rapidly advancing medical services (Charles et al, ).…”

Section: Pattern Of Blood Donation In Trinidad and Tobago (Tto)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some individuals resort to paying persons to donate when F/Rs are unavailable or unwilling (Harrison & Rahaman, ). Therefore, although ethical principles dictate that blood is a public resource to which access should be unlimited and determined solely by clinical need (International Society for Blood Transfusion, Code of Ethics, ), management of the blood stock in accordance with these ideals is undermined (Charles et al, ; Tagny, ). The difference in life span between chits and blood components guarantees that there are always more chits than available units, creating mistrust among donors, patients and clinicians.…”

Section: Pattern Of Blood Donation In Trinidad and Tobago (Tto)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood utilisation in a developing society: what is the best index of efficiency?

Freitas

Ramoutar

et al. 2018

Transfusion Medicine

“…The World Health Organization recommends collection from exclusively VNRD for adequacy, safety and equality [2]. The majority (82%) of blood donors in TTO are family replacement (F/R) donors [3] The annual donation rate is 1Á7 per 1000 compared to the 3 per 1000 VNRDs recommended for TTO's advanced medical services resulting in chronic blood shortage [4].…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative blood donation knowledge attitudes and practice surveys from two multi‐ethnic communities

Bhagwansingh

2018

ISBT Science Series

Self Cite

A recently published blood donation knowledge, attitudes and practice community survey from a developing country with family replacement donation were repeated in a developed country with exclusively voluntary non‐remunerated blood donors (VNRD). Higher altruism, information, access and percentage donors were observed in the VNRD‐based system. A family member or friend in need of blood was a powerful incentive for VNRDs. The importance of information, convenience and a regulatory pathway for VNRD was confirmed. Family replacement donation could be used to attract first‐time donors before conversion to regular VNRDs.