Abstract

Background and Objectives

Nowadays, the use of blood and blood products has increased; thus, the efforts should be made to raise the number of  blood donors. The aim of this study was to analyze the determinants of blood donation in the city of  Kerman.

Materials and Methods

This is a prospective study in which 2010 new first time voluntary blood donors having referred to Kerman Blood Center in the year 2009 participated; they were evaluated for the factors effective on the blood donation attempt from then until 2013. Then, the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 21.

Results

Out of the total number of participants, 50.1%, 33.7% and 16.2% were first-time, experienced, and regular donors, respectively. The mean and the standard deviation of the duration of blood donation attempts in monthly intervals and the frequency of  blood donation attempts within the same period were 35.19 ± 20.72 and 5.36 ± 3.89, respectively. The correlation between the age and the level of education of blood donors and regular blood donation was statistically significant (p < 0.05), but there was no significance among other variables (p > 0.0.5).

Conclusions 

Given the significant effect of high level education status, high age, and the marital status on the regular blood donation, it is imperative for the groups with these attributes to be considered for being changed into regular blood donors; the necessary education and culture promoting efforts should be made together with adequate praising measures to assure the continuing of regular blood donors.