| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 5
| Issue : 2 | Page : 121-126 |
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Attitude to blood donation in Saudi Arabia
Abdel Galil M Abdel Gader, Abdel Moniem A Osman, Furgah H Al Gahtani, Mohamed N Farghali, Ali H Ramadan, Abdel Kareem M Al-Momen
The Blood Donor Centre, King Khalid University Hospital and The Blood Transfusion Research Group, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence Address:
Abdel Galil M Abdel Gader
The Blood Bank, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, PO Box-2925, Riyadh-11461
Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0973-6247.83235
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Background and Objectives: The blood donor system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia depends on a combination of voluntary and involuntary donors. The aim of this study is to explore the attitudes, beliefs and motivations of Saudis toward blood donation. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Donor Centers at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) Blood Bank and King Saud University Students Health Center, Riyadh. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to donors (n = 517) and nondonors (n = 316), between February and June 2008. All were males. Results: Ninety-nine percent of the respondents showed positive attitude toward blood donations and its importance for patients care, and object the importation of blood from abroad. Blood donors: Ninety-one percent agree that that blood donation is a religious obligation, 91% think no compensation should be given, 63% will accept a token gift, 34% do not object to donating six times/year and 67% did not mind coming themselves to the donor center to give blood. Nondonors: Forty-six percent were not asked to give blood and those who were asked mentioned fear (5%) and lack of time (16%) as their main deterrents. Reasons for rejection as donors include underweight and age (71%) and health reasons (19%). Seventy-five percent objected to money compensation but 69% will accept token gifts and 92% will donate if a relative/friend needs blood. Conclusion: These results reflect an encouraging strong positive attitude toward blood donation. Further future planning with emphasis on educational/publicity programs and careful organization of donor recruitment campaigns could see the dream of total voluntary nonremunerated blood donations should not take long to be true. |
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