Abstract

  Background and Objectives

  In this study we determined the prevalence of causes for deferral of blood donors in 7 blood centers. These centers are responsible for providing approximately half of the blood units transfused in Iran.�

  Materials and Methods

  This was a cross-sectional study covering 18585 deferred blood donors in Tehran, Fars, Isfahan, Khorasan, East and West Azarbaijan and Ardebil provinces. The simple random sampling method was used. A special form was filled out by the attending physician questioning about demographic characteristics, history of blood donation, and causes of rejection.

  Results

  The average age of donors was 32.3 ± 11.3 years. 82.8% of deferred donors were male and 17.8% female. 43% were single, 56.5% married, and 0.5% divorced. 3.9% were illiterate, 38.5% under diploma, 38.3% diploma, and 19.4% university graduates . 38% had no previous history of blood donation, 31.3% were donors with previous history of donation, and 29.2% were regular donors . The most common reason of deferral was unsafe sexual contact (17.8%) followed by drug administration (12.3%), hypotension (8.9%), bloodletting (8%), and polycytemia(5.7%).

  Conclusions

  In this study the most common reason for deferral was unsafe sexual contact. In comparison to the similar study in 1999 the percent of high-risk behaviors has increased.

  Key words: Blood donation, Donor selection, Blood Transfusion, Iran