Abstract

Background and Objectives

Many different factors are effective in the safety of blood donations. One of the main factors is the education status of blood donors which is the focus of the present research.

Materials and Methods

Our study is based on a cross-sectional method which was done for all donations during 2007-2008 (3519254 blood donations). The necessary data such as educational degree, sex, age, history of previous donation and the confirmed positive results (Ab-Ag, HIV HCV Ab and HBsAg) were collected from the database of e.projesa & negareh blood transfusion software. (p < 0.05).

Results

Among 3319254 blood donations, 7% were female and 93% were male. The donors with the academic degree showed to be HIV positive in 1.9 units per 100000 blood donations, 3.7 for donors with diploma and 7.5 for the illiterate[m1]  (p < 0.001). The rates for HCV positivity were 0.4 for blood donors with the academic degree, 0.9 for the ones with diploma, and 1.8 units per 1000 for the illiterate (p < 0.001). For HBS Ag positivity the figures were 2.2 for blood donors with the academic degree, 2.8 for those with diploma, and 5.8 and 5.6 units per 1000 for the illiterate (p < 0.001). 

Conclusions 

These findings showed that the level of education has a direct correlation with blood safety. The results can help Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization adopt the best strategies in recruiting the eligible blood donors from the low risk communities.