Knowledge Level, Motivators and Barriers of Blood Donation among Students at Qatar University

Abstract

In Qatar, one out of every ten patients admitted to the hospitals is in urgent need of a blood transfusion or blood products. The aims of this study are as follows: (1) to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about blood donation and (2) to identify the factors that contribute to the willingness to donate blood among young adults. A cross-sectional survey using a constructed questionnaire was conducted among students at Qatar University. A total of 590 responses were collected, out of which 423 were suitable for analysis. Only 72 out of 472 (15%) participants were blood donors. The chi-square test and t-test were then used to study the association of blood donation status with different factors. Significant values were considered to be p ≤ 0.5. Gender and age were found to be significantly associated with blood donation status, with a higher frequency of donation among males and adults above the age of 24 years old. On the other hand, the total knowledge score was found to not be significantly associated with blood donation status with a mean score of 60.5% for both groups (blood donors, non-blood donors). The most common motivators that encouraged blood donors were donating to help people, followed by having a blood mobile unit come to your place, whereas the most common barriers reported by non-blood donors were failing to meet the requirements, followed by “never having been asked to give blood”. This is the first study in Qatar to assess blood donation status. It provides insights that would help in developing effective strategies for the recruitment and retention of young adult blood donors in Qatar and countries with similar cultures. Raising awareness about blood donation, along with providing more mobile blood donation units at public places, will aid in increasing the frequency of blood donation among young adults.

Donor’s perspectives on blood donation and challenges of National Blood Center, Yangon, during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…On the motivation factors, similar findings were identified in donating to help others, and family or friends or relatives who are donors influenced them in this study and the Qatar study. 17 NGOs working for blood donation contacting them (40%) in this study differed from 7.6% of the Indian study in 2021 and when someone they know is in need (17.9%) which was contrasted with 66.7% of the Qatar study. 13,17 The standalone blood bank was the preferred choice of place to donate blood among this study's donors; this differed from the hospital-based blood bank of the international study in 2021.…”

“…17 NGOs working for blood donation contacting them (40%) in this study differed from 7.6% of the Indian study in 2021 and when someone they know is in need (17.9%) which was contrasted with 66.7% of the Qatar study. 13,17 The standalone blood bank was the preferred choice of place to donate blood among this study's donors; this differed from the hospital-based blood bank of the international study in 2021. 13 Among the 216 blood donors, their deterrents to blood donation were commonly restricted movements (77.3%), followed by fear of infection (67.6%), and being close to other donors (37.0%) and healthcare providers (33.3%).…”

“…But, in one international study, information about blood donation was heard mainly from social media (71.2%), followed by from friends or relatives (58.6%). 17 Therefore, the receipt of information about blood donation from mass media was reduced in this study, so it is necessary to use the mass and social media effectively to promote blood donation.…”

Assessment of Beliefs, Behaviors, and Opinions About Blood Donation in Telangana, India—A Cross Sectional Community-Based Study

“…Additionally, barriers are different between genders. Failing to meet the eligibility requirements has been reported commonly by females while most males reported that they were never asked to donate blood ( 17 , 18 ).…”

Relationships between social support, dark triad and life satisfaction in honorary blood donors. The mediating role of emotional support

“…Firstly, the studies concerning the status of knowledge on blood and marrow donation [1][2][3][4] . Secondly, the ones on communication, promotion, and motivation of potential and active blood donors to donate [5,6] together with the barriers involved [7,8]. Thirdly, the studies under preparation by various research centres, including Poland, on the personality domain [9].…”