Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 High risk and unaware donors embarking on blood donation endanger blood safety. Thus the importance of donors training for providing safe blood is one of the main objectives of IBTO. In this study, we evaluated the awareness of blood donors about safe blood donation among Tabriz blood donors in 1384.

 Materials and Methods

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1200 literate blood donors who had studied the screening educational materials designed to raise their awareness about safe blood donation in Tabriz . The blood donors were selected using random sampling and a 3-part questionnaire was distributed among them. Part one contained questions about demographic characteristics, part two aimed to evaluate the method the materials were presented, and part three intended to evaluate awareness of donors about safe blood donation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 11.5) and chi-square test.

 Results

 97% of blood donors answered the questions designed to evaluate the method the educational materials were presented the answers showed their satisfaction. There was a correlation between educational level of donors and the degree of using educational pamphlets, the degree of their evaluation about the simplicity of materials and their length, and the degree of learning new information about blood safety (p<0.05). 68.8% of blood donors knew that routine screening tests cannot detect a recent infection (window period) and 66.8% were aware of confidential self-exclusion. There was a correlation between the number of donations and awareness of window period and confidential self-exclusion (p<0.05). The most frequent questions receiving incorrect answers and being left unanswered were about window period of transfusion - transmitted diseases and confidential self-exclusion that came out to form 31.2% and 33.2% of the total number of questions respectively. In addition, 51.7% of blood donors thought that the most important factor to ensure safe blood is the laboratory testing rather than consultation with physician.

 Conclusion

 Since the educational level of blood donors is an important variable in evaluation of the method the educational materials are presented, it should be considered in providing screening educational materials. The results of the study about respondents' awareness of window period and confidential self-exclusion show that these concepts need to be revised in educational pamphlets. Moreover, the sincere collaboration with consulting physician as an important factor to ensure safe blood should be further emphasized .

 Key words: Blood donors, Educational materials, Safe blood donors