Non-remunerated Blood Donors Research Articles

Blood donation practices, motivators and barriers in the Caribbean: A narrative review.

Adequacy and safety are the twin prerogatives of the blood transfusion service which in turn is an indispensable component of public health delivery; however, many Caribbean countries have inadequate blood supply for the current and projected demands of their health care systems. Understanding blood donor motivators and barriers is crucial to improving the rate of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD) to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) targets. The objective of this study was to review current research on the landscape of blood donation practices and attitudes in the Caribbean. We undertook a systematic search of electronic databases through September 2023 to identify studies of blood donation practices, knowledge and attitudes, including motivators and barriers to donation in the English-speaking Caribbean. We identified eight (8) relevant studies of observational study design. VNRD remain relatively uncommon; family replacement or remunerated donations were most common. Barriers to blood donation included lack of a known recipient such as a family member who needed blood, never having been asked to donate, presumed ineligibility to donate, and fear of needles or adverse reactions. Study participants indicated willingness to donate blood if provided more information about the importance of blood donation. There is a paucity of published research regarding blood donor knowledge, motivators and barriers in the Caribbean context. Such research could indicate the necessary interventions for achieving the goals of an adequate and safe blood supply.

Blood transfusion in the Caribbean: Historical perspective in the context of Trinidad and Tobago.

To compare the historical development of blood transfusion in Britain and a former British West Indian colony. International transfusion bodies recommend national coordination and exclusively voluntary non-remunerated donation as essential pre-requisites for blood safety. These ideals have been achieved in high-income countries including Great Britain, the United States of America and Canada. However, most West Indian countries have fragmented, hospital-based blood services that rely on family replacement and remunerated donors. Comparative historical analysis of blood transfusion service development in Great Britain and Trinidad and Tobago was undertaken to provide insight into their dichotomous development and inform policy decisions to bridge the gap between the two types of transfusion service. The British National Blood Transfusion service was based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donation from its inception but achieved national coordination over 50 years that included a period of regional control during which incoordination contributed to a tainted blood scandal. Failure to establish community voluntary non-remunerated donation in Trinidad and Tobago during the colonial period, before independence in 1962, allowed regionally-controlled family replacement and remunerated blood donation to become entrenched then perpetuated by path dependence. A university-led programme has recently used historically-proven methods, drawing on the experiences of the British National Blood Transfusion Service, to establish a model for developing a voluntary non-remunerated programme. The programme aims to avoid historical pitfalls during its national extension. Historical analysis provided information for introducing voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and planning a nationally-coordinated blood transfusion service.

Understanding Blood Donation Practices in Gilgit, Pakistan An Anthropological Perspective

Blood is widely recognized as an essential bodily fluid crucial for sustaining life, and blood donation plays a critical role in saving lives. Ensuring access to a safe and sufficient supply of blood and its derivatives and reliable blood transfusion services is indispensable for a strong healthcare system. It is important to note that voluntary non-remunerated blood donors are the most reliable source of safe blood supply. In Pakistan, 70% of donated blood comes from replacement or paid donations, while only 10% comes from voluntary donations. In Gilgit, voluntary blood donation is scarce, and most blood comes from replacements. The respondents display limited understanding of blood transfusion, while they exhibit a positive attitude toward voluntary blood donation despite low participation. This discrepancy is attributed to inadequate awareness and campaigns, as well as prevalent myths and negative perceptions associated with blood and blood donation. Furthermore, sectarian-based segregation, the symbolic relationships between the donor and recipient and the exclusion of female blood donors exacerbate the gap between blood supply and demand. The research emphasises culturally suited solutions and strategies that can help enhance voluntary blood donation in Gilgit.

Paths to improve voluntary blood donation in mixed public/private blood donation systems such as in Lebanon?

BackgroundThe World Health Organization advocates for the achievement of 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD) globally by the year 2020. However, until today, little was known in Lebanon regarding its actual rate or influencing factors, particularly donor motivations and behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of blood donors in Lebanon. The ultimate goals were to retain first-time donors, encourage them to become regular ones, and facilitate the transition from replacement donation to VNRD. Materials and MethodsA multi-centric cross-sectional study was carried across the five governorates in Lebanon. A self-administered and structured questionnaire was used in this survey. Results were presented in terms of odds ratios, with statistical significance defined at a P value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. Additionally, a benchmarking analysis of the situation of blood donation in Lebanon was also conducted, identifying several areas for improvement. ResultsA total of 620 blood donors participated in this study, with 21.3% being first-time donors and 78.7% repeat donors. While the latter were primarily motivated by self-esteem, solidarity or returning a favor (89%, 77.9% and 78.1%), the main obstacle for becoming regular donors was a lack of initiative (34.6%). Female donors (9.9% of the total) exhibited better knowledge (OR = 2.20, p = 0.011) and were more inclined to donate voluntarily (OR = 1.52, p = 0.048). Conversely, male donors were more likely to be repeat donors, often through replacement donation (OR = 2.95, p = 0.001). ConclusionThere is a significant disparity between the low rate of voluntary donation in Lebanon (22.2%) and the relatively high proportion of donors with adequate knowledge of the donation process (60.5%). Therefore, urgent action by public authorities, based on the evidence based strategies outlined in this article, is crucial to enhancing the voluntary donation rate in Lebanon.

Rational or altruistic: the impact of social media information exposure on Chinese youth's willingness to donate blood.

Non-remunerated blood donation is the main approach for various medical institutions to get the source of blood supply, but the blood supply shortage is still a problem in today's society. Social media has become the main approach of information acquisition for youth groups nowadays, and the information on social media will have an impact on people's behavioral decisions. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the correlation between social media exposure to relevant information about blood donation and the willingness of youths to donate blood. We collected data from 455 questionnaires through an online questionnaire and structural equation modeling was constructed for validation. Data were analyzed for reliability, validity, and demographic differences using IBM-SPSS 26.0, and IBM-SPSS-AMOS 26.0 was used for model fit analysis and path analysis. The results of the study showed that there was a positive correlation between social media exposure to relevant blood donation information and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.262, p < 0.001), altruism (β = 0.203, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.170, p < 0.001). While there was also a positive correlation between attitude toward blood donation and self-efficacy (β = 0.560, p < 0.001), there was no positive correlation between it and willingness to donate blood (β = -0.180, p = 0.786). There was also a positive correlation between altruism and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.150, p < 0.05) and attitude toward blood donation (β = 0.150, p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a positive correlation between self-efficacy and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.371, p < 0.001). Exposure to more information related to blood donation on social media can increase the willingness of the youth population to donate blood, while exposure to information related to altruism and self-efficacy on social media can also enhance young people's attitudes toward blood donation, while further strengthening their willingness to donate.

A scoping review of sociology of voluntary blood donation.

Maintaining stable blood supplies presents an increasing challenge for blood collection agencies (BCAs). Novel and multidisciplinary approaches and research have been called for to understand the mechanisms underlying the trends. The current body of sociological research on blood donation is a potentially valuable resource, but it is dispersed over different publications and theoretical frameworks. We conducted a scoping review of sociological research on voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation to identify insights and practical applications for researchers and BCAs. Four organizing themes were identified: donated blood, blood donors, organizations and blood service systems. Key challenges associated with the organization of voluntary blood donation exist at the institutional and systems levels, and they may not be readily resolved by interventions focussed solely on the individual donor level. We identified opportunities for organizations to build trust with donors and the public through communications and working with communities to promote inclusion in blood donation. The results support a multidisciplinary approach and research for BCAs to move forward and find novel ways to ensure safe, resilient blood service systems.

Prevalence and Trends of Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Over Half a Decade Among Healthy Blood Donors Across Sindh, Pakistan.

Pakistan has a high prevalence of viral hepatitis andthese transfusion-transmitted illnesses (TTIs) pose a major hazard to the health of patients who need blood transfusions, which has a negative impact on the affordability and accessibility of safe blood products in underfunded or less strengthened healthcare systems. While selecting a donor for blood donation, he/she must be healthy enough to donate 500 mL of whole blood, but some of them who were considered the healthiest community were caught to be reactive while getting screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which reflects the true prevalence of these illnesses in this specific population. To study the seroprevalence and trends of HBV, HCV, and HIV in healthy blood donors of Sindh, Pakistan. Blood donated by healthy donors from Sindh, collected from January 2018 to December 2022, was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) at 185 blood centers running under the umbrella of Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority Pakistan (SBTA). The results of serological screening tests for HBV, HCV, and HIV performed from January 2018 to December 2022revealed a continuously increasing trend of all infections. The total number of blood donations in the blood banks across the province showed a progressive increase from 22,822 donors in 2018 to 937,039 donors in 2022, which is 14.21% of the total increase. Among 4,199,195 donors screened from the said period, 3,821,268 (91%) were replacement donors while only 3,77,927 (9%) were voluntary donors. Among them 3,870,598 (92.2%) were males and only 3,285,97 (7.8%) were females, whereas with regardto donors' age, most of them i.e. 2,664,648 (63%), fallin the 29-39 years age group. Overall, from 2018 to 2022, out of a total of 4,199,195 individuals screened, 81,266 (1.94%) tested positive for HCV, 71,688 (1.7%) tested positive for HBV, and 6,711 (0.15%) tested positive for HIV. The total number of positive cases across all three infections was 159,665 (3.80%). The overall average seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, and anti-HIV among blood donors of 185 blood banks, for five years, was 2.78%, 3.82%, 3.65%, 4.15%, and 4.04%, respectively. The study highlights a concerning increase in the prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HIV among blood donors in Sindh, Pakistan, over the five-year period. It underscores the importance of continued surveillance, prevention, and intervention strategies to address these infections. The recommendations include the promotion of voluntary blood donors and screening of donated blood through a highly sensitive screening assay (nucleic acid testing). There should be centralized blood collection systems having better personnel and equipment, and non-remunerated voluntary blood donations must be strongly encouraged. All these, however, requirestrong political commitment and multisector engagement with comprehensive policy implementation.

Evaluating the effectiveness of three communication modes in promoting repeat voluntary donation behavior in first-time blood donors at a tertiary care blood center in North India

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Due to rapid technological advancements, several new methods such as telephone (TP), e-mail, social media, WhatsApp (WA), and Short Message Services are being used as effectively among blood centers worldwide for postdonation communication with blood donors’ education and motivation to recruit and retain them as repeat and regular voluntary nonremunerated blood donors. The present study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of WA, TP, and personal communications (PCs) as modes of communication to recruit and retain first-time replacement blood donors to become repeat and regular voluntary blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This 1-year observational prospective study was conducted in the Post Graduate Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion in Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu. Three hundred first-time blood donors selected for the study were divided into three groups comprising 100 blood donors each as per the mode of communication strategy adopted, namely postdonation PC, TP, and WA groups. RESULTS: The repeat donation rate was highest in the TP group (61%), followed by the WA group (47%) and PC group (37%). The mean repeat donation was found to be significant in the TP group (P = 0.007) and WA group (P = 0.021) as compared PC group while there was no significant difference between the TP group and WA groups (0.751). CONCLUSION: In our study, it was found that of the three communication modes, namely personal, TP, and WA, telephonic communication with a repeat donation rate of 61% was the most effective mode of communication in for motivating and converting first-time blood donors into repeat regular voluntary blood donors.

Seroprevalence and Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors in a Teaching Hospital: Nine-year Retrospective Study

Seroprevalence and Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors in a Teaching Hospital: Nine-year Retrospective Study

Professional Blood Donors: Ethical Concerns and Complexities

Blood donation is a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling lifesaving transfusions for a variety of conditions. However, the practice of professional blood donation, where individuals are compensated for their blood, raises a number of ethical concerns. This paper explores the complexities surrounding professional blood donation. One central debate centres on the concept of altruism versus compensation. Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation is often lauded for its selfless nature. Conversely, paying donors raises concerns about exploitation, particularly of vulnerable populations who may be motivated by financial hardship rather than pure altruism. This can lead to questions about informed consent and potential pressure to donate despite health risks. The safety of the blood supply is paramount. Professional donors, by virtue of their frequent donations, may be more likely to engage in risky behaviours to be eligible, potentially increasing the risk of blood borne diseases entering the supply. Additionally, the long-term health effects of frequent blood donation require further investigation. The issue of fairness also arises. Certain blood types are more in demand, potentially creating a situation where some donors are financially rewarded more than others. This could exacerbate existing social inequalities and raise concerns about equity in access to compensation. This paper argues for a nuanced discussion on professional blood donation. While the altruistic model has limitations, the potential exploitation and safety risks associated with compensation require careful consideration. The paper concludes by calling for further research on the long-term health impacts of frequent donation and the development of ethical frameworks that balance safety, equity, and the need for a sufficient blood supply.

Factor Analysis of Motivational and Deterrent Factors among Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish which motivational, deterrent and socio-demographic factors that would engender long-term commitment to voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Study Design and Methods: A cross-sectional sample survey of blood donors who participated in the 2021 world blood donor day in Ibadan, Nigeria, was conducted. Donors filled in a self-administered questionnaire during donation. Data on motivation and deterrent were analyzed using factor analysis. Results: The majority of the blood donors were aged 21-40 years and they had donated 0-53 times in the past. Three-quarters had donated at least 10 times previously. Two dimensions of blood-donor motivation were identified with factor analysis. These were: self-esteem and social reasons (such as the influence of friends and family). The most important deterrent factors for blood donation were ‘hate sight of blood” and time taken to donate. Conclusion: The motivation factors for being a VNRD are related to self-esteem and social factors. We recommend that these factors should be the backbone of campaigns and awareness programme in effort to increase and retain VNRD pool our environment.

The future of blood services amid a tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products: Perspectives from the ISBT Young Professional Council.

Blood services manage the increasingly tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products, and their role in health research is expanding. This review explores the themes that may define the future of blood banking. We reviewed the PubMed database for articles on emerging/new blood-derived products and the utilization of blood donors in health research. In high-income countries (HICs), blood services may consider offering these products: whole blood, cold-stored platelets, synthetic blood components, convalescent plasma, lyophilized plasma and cryopreserved/lyophilized platelets. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) aim to establish a pool of volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors and wean themselves off family replacement donors; and many HICs are relaxing the deferral criteria targeting racial and sexual minorities. Blood services in HICs could achieve plasma self-sufficiency by building plasma-dedicated centres, in collaboration with the private sector. Lastly, blood services should expand their involvement in health research by establishing donor cohorts, conducting serosurveys, studying non-infectious diseases and participating in clinical trials. This article provides a vision of the future for blood services. The introduction of some of these changes will be slower in LMICs, where addressing key operational challenges will likely be prioritized.

Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections among Blood Donors at the Tertiary Care Hospital in Nadiad, Gujarat, India

Introduction: Blood transfusion is an effective treatment for saving millions of lives, even though transfusion-transmissible infections are a major problem. An integrated approach for blood safety is required, which includes the collection of blood only from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. Aim: To assess the seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible Infections (TTIs) among blood donors in a tertiary care center in Nadiad, India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from August 2019 to September 2022 at the blood bank of a tertiary care center in Nadiad, India. Data were collected in an Excel datasheet pertaining to all donors who were screened for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, and malaria and analysed. The associations between categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 6103 voluntary and replacement donors were screened, out of which 5855 (95.93%) were males and 248 (4.06%) were females. The prevalence rate was highest for syphilis 81 (1.32%), then Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) 32 (0.52%), HCV 09 (0.14%), HIV 05 (0.08%), and malaria 00 (0%) in decreasing order. Out of 6103 donors, 127 donors showed seropositivity for TTI (2.08%). The present study shows seropositivity for TTI only in male replacement donors (100%). Conclusion: Blood is still one of the main sources of transmission of infections such as HIV, HBsAg, HCV, syphilis, and malaria. The present study showed a higher prevalence of syphilis than HBsAg, HCV, HIV, and malaria, in decreasing order. The study showed seroprevalence only in male replacement donors, so efforts to motivate and ensure the active participation of voluntary blood donors, including females, are needed. Meticulous donor screening, the use of highly sensitive techniques for the detection of TTIs, and improved post-donation counseling are highly recommended to ensure the safety of blood for recipients.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of blood donation among paramedical students of a medical college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood donation is an essential global need far outweighs the available supply, rendering it a scarce and valuable resource. Within India, blood transfusion services hold significant importance and constitute a crucial aspect of the national health-care framework. Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) is deemed the safest among the various ways of donating blood. The student population of educational institutions across the country, particularly those who are young and physically fit, represents one of the most promising sources of blood donations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and donation practices of medical college students and motivate them to embrace voluntary blood donation as a regular habit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Department of Allied Health Science at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, conducted a questionnaire survey from March 2023 to October 2023. Two thousand and two hundred forty students were invited to participate, with 2331 ultimately willing to partake. The gathered data underwent analysis using the SPSS Statistics software, version 20, with a significance level fixed at a P = 5%. RESULTS: The study included 2331 participants, comprising 840 males (36%) and 1491 females (64%). The age range of the participants was between 17 and 25 years, with a mean age of 18.9 ± 1.3 years. Out of 2331 participants, the majority (66.7%) showed sufficient knowledge with 9 or more correct answers, while the rest (33.2%) showed below-average knowledge. CONCLUSION: The Tamil Nadu Health Professions Colleges possess the potential to make a noteworthy impact on the promotion of blood donation. According to a recent survey, students express a keen interest in donating blood if a camp is organized on the campus. By organizing awareness campaigns and conducting informative sessions, the colleges can inspire and motivate more students to donate blood, thereby playing a vital role in saving lives.

Seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible Infections among Family Replacement Donors and Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub Saharan Africa.

Introduction : According to WHO, regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors are the safest group of donors, as they have the lowest prevalence of blood transmitted infections. However, family/replacement blood donors is widely used in sub Saharan Africa and this practice was exacerbated during the COVID 19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the seroprevalence of infectious markers in family replacement blood donors and voluntary non-remunerated blood donors during the COVID 19 pandemic in a country of sub Saharan Africa. &#x0D; Materials and Methods&#x0D; Blood donors received at the National Centre of Blood Transfusion (NBTC) of Dakar from August 1st to October 31th 2021, were included in this study. All donors completed a pre-donation questionnaire. Donors identity, epidemiological parameters, reasons for donation and laboratory results were collected in the Inlog® software of the NBTC. The serological tests for HBV, HIV and HCV were performed with chemiluminescence technology. The Rapid Plasma Reagent test was used to find out treponemal antibodies. The determination of ABO and Rh blood groups was performed using monoclonal antisera following classical hemagglutination test on a plate.&#x0D; Results&#x0D; A total of 5002 donors were collected during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Blood family/replacement donors represented 54.0% and new voluntary donors represented 52.6%. Comparison of HIV, HCV and syphilis markers seroprevalence showed no statistically significant difference between new voluntary donors and new family replacement donors (p&gt;0.05). However, for HBV the seroprevalence was significantly higher in new family replacement donors (p=0,002).&#x0D; Conclusion &#x0D; The proper supply of blood was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic meanwhile replacement donations had contributed to limiting the damage observed with blood shortages. However, the significant differences noted on the seroprevalences of transfusion-transmissible infections between voluntary non-paid donors and family/replacement donors strengthens WHO recommendations for the selection of volunteer non-paid donors to lower transfusion-transmissible HBV in sub Saharan Africa.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Analysis of the effect of the application of the precision training model in the promotion of blood donation during public health emergencies

This study aimed to explore the impact of precision training on the promotion of blood donation during public health emergencies. The research focused on blood donation volunteers at the Wuwei Central Blood Station from 2018 to 2021. The data from 2018-2019 represented the period before precision training, while the data from 2020-2021 represented the period after precision training. The study observed the number of non-remunerated blood donations and group non-remunerated blood donations in the Wuwei Central Blood Station from 2013 to 2021. The success rate of blood donations, group blood donations, "turning back" of non-remunerated blood donations, and knowledge rate of non-remunerated blood donations were compared before and after precision training. The results showed that the actual values of blood donations were higher than the predicted values, indicating a positive influence of precision training. The success rate and group blood donation rate increased significantly after precision training. The rate of "returning" blood donation also increased significantly. Additionally, the knowledge rate of non-remunerated blood donation among different age groups increased significantly after precision training. In conclusion, precision training has a positive impact on blood donation during public health emergencies and can help alleviate blood shortage crises.

ANALYSIS OF CAUSES FOR PRE-DONATION DEFERRAL AMONG VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: Pre-donation screening of potential blood donors is critical for ensuring the safety of the blood collected, and donor deferral as a result of risk factors is practiced worldwide. It is important to study the pattern of deferrals to reduce unnecessary deferrals and encourage continuous blood donation. The aim of the present study was to determine the rate and reasons for pre-donation donor deferral among voluntary blood donors. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional study conducted by analyzing 3 years of data, from January 2020 to December 2022, over a period of 2 months (December 2022 and January 2023) retrieved from the donor deferral register. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Descriptive statistical measures were utilized to present the data. Results: Among 29,847 voluntary donors, 13.81% (4123/29,847) were deferred, of whom 84.2% (3472/4123) were males. The deferral rate among males was 12.19% (3472/28,480), while it was 47.62% (651/1367) in females. 53.04% of the deferred donors were in the age group of 18–30 years (2187/4123). 98.73% (4071/4123) of the deferrals were temporary. Hypothyroidism on treatment (42.30%, 22/52), uncontrolled diabetes on insulin (34.62%, 18/52), and epilepsy on treatment (11.54%, 6/52) were the common reasons for permanent deferral, while low hemoglobin (13.07%, 532/4,123), medications (11.67%, 475/4,071), and body piercing (9.85%, 406/4,123) were the most common reasons for temporary deferral. Low hemoglobin was the common reason for deferral among repeat donors (55.45%, 295/532) compared to first-time donors. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that it is important to increase awareness of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation among young people and educate people about the common criteria for a healthy donor to minimize the loss of blood donors.

구조방정식을 이용한 헌혈자의 헌혈기부권 선택 의향에 대한 영향 요인 분석

This study investigated factors influencing individuals' preference for Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation(VNRD) to promote its adoption. Motivational factors, social responsibility perception, and blood donation frequency were identified as determinants of VNRD choice. A survey involving 378 public officials and 1,646 individuals from the general public was analyzed using a structural equation model. The results showed that self-satisfaction, altruism, profit pursuit, and blood donation drive positively influenced the choice of VNRD. Moreover, heightened awareness of social responsibility among local governments was associated with increased VNRD preference. The study advocates active engagement with local governments through a local community-centric public-private partnership system to boost blood donation. Regarding the influence of the frequency of blood donation participation on the choice of VNRD, it was found that, in the case of public officials, the frequency of blood donation participation did not significantly impact the motivation for choosing VNRD.

The Prevalence of Blood Borne Diseases in Blood Donors of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The goal of the study was to investigate the burden of transfusion- transmitted infections (TTIs) hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and malarial parasite (MP) in ABO Blood Groups and Rh Type System among voluntarily blood donors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. It is a retrospective single center cross sectional study. This study was conducted from June 2020 to September 2021 (16 months) at the frontier foundation thalassemia center Peshawar KPK. Donors were physically healthy and fit for donation. Donors with physical disabilities and/or having co-morbid conditions were excluded from the report. All the samples were screened for anti-HIV, anti-HCV, HBsAg, Syphilis, and Malarial Parasite via ELISA kit and Immune Chromatographic Technique (ICT), respectively. A total of 6311 blood donations were evaluated. The majority of the donations (92%) were from (VNRBD) voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, while only 8% came from replacement donors. Amongst 6311 blood donations, 1.50 % (n = 95) were infected at least with one pathogen, HBV positive cases were 0.855 % (n = 54), HCV positive cases were 0.316% (n = 20), syphilis positive were 0.30% (n = 19) and MP positive cases were only 0.031% (n = 2). HBV, HCV, syphilis and malaria infections rates were found to be low as compared to the previous data published, while no case was reported for HIV. The study also revealed the distribution pattern of the aforementioned pathogens in blood groups and the Rh type system of the reactive samples. The lower reported in our study indicates the awareness among the people of Peshawar about TTIs and their precautions. The prevalence rate that we are reporting is less than previously published articles in the same domain.

Difference in Group Perceptions Related to Motivation for Participating in Blood Donation and Selecting VNRD

This study compared and analyzed the differences in perception related to the motivation for blood donation participation and VNRD (Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation) selection according to the blood donor's occupation type and blood donation frequency. Based on prior research investigating perceptions related to donation, a questionnaire was developed. And t-tests and ANOVA were conducted to analyze differences between considered groups. Results showed that significant differences in blood donation motivation and VNRD selection perception between public official and the general public. Blood donation frequency also influenced the motivation for selecting VNRD. Differences in blood donation motivation were found between groups choosing souvenirs and VNRD. These results provide crucial insights for establishing strategies to activate the VNRD and planning blood donation campaigns and programs. In particular, differentiated approach strategies considering various occupational types and blood donation experiences are needed to increase awareness and demand for the VNRD.