Exploring the determinants of blood donation: A study of motivating and deterring factors

The supply of voluntary non-remunerated blood has remained insufficient in most developing countries, thereby posing a considerable public health challenge to patients in need of blood transfusions in hospitals. In this study, factors influencing blood donation practices, focusing on deterrents and motivators were x-rayed. Questionnaires were administered to 430 respondents, sampled from the Enugu State Civil servants, Traders, and students’ populations, all residing within Enugu metropolis. The questionnaire comprised of 21 questions, grouped into three, addressing the sociodemographic factors of participants, obstacles and motivations towards blood donation. The results generated were analysed and expressed by frequencies and percentages, using SPSS version 20. Reports were based on 384 respondents who answered the questionnaire. The results show that students consisted the largest number of respondents (58.6%), with number of males (51.8%) slightly higher than females (48.2%). The main obstacles towards blood donation were fears of various kinds, with fear of death topping the chart (53.3%), whereas the highest motivation towards blood donation was identified as enlightenment campaign (56.8%). Intensifying public enlightenment campaign across the metropolis, was recommended as the best approach to addressing the challenge of blood shortage.