Evaluation of pre-donation anxiety and attitude of blood donors and its effect on blood pressure and pulse rate

Abstract

Background: Previous negative experiences (NEs) during the process of blood donation can resultin increased stress and is indicated by blood pressure and pulse rate, at a subsequent donation. Thepresent study investigated the effect of attitude and anxiety in 1st time and regular blood donorswith or without any previous NE on the pre-donation blood pressure and pulse rate. Materials andmethods: Pre-donation blood pressure and pulse rate in 1st time and regular donors weremeasured. The attitude and anxiety were evaluated using a questionnaire and the relationship with aprevious NE was assessed. Its effect on the blood pressure and pulse rate was subsequentlyevaluated. The study was a between-subjects, observational design. Results: Of the total 200donors, 165 were males. 54 donors showed signs of anxiety whereas 33 donors had a previous NE.11 donors (22.44%) who had a previous negative experience showed raised blood pressure whereas9 donors (18.36%) with a previous negative experience showed a raised pulse rate. Both effective(-0.293) and cognitive (-0.0159) attitudes were negatively correlated with anxiety and were foundto be statistically significant. Conclusion: No significant association was seen in a donor whoexperienced a negative experience in a previous visit with raised pre-donation blood pressurehowever, was significantly associated with a raised pulse rate. Moreover, anxiety and increased bloodpressure, and increased pulse rate were assessed in first-time donors and it was seen that first-timedonors especially showed raised blood pressure and pulse rate.