Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 The most important aim of all blood transfusion centers is to recruit blood donors from low risk groups of society for blood donation to be embarked on voluntarily and regularly. In the city of Yazd, women form only 5% of blood donors. The aim of this study was to assess barriers to blood donation by women and the level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation in the city of Yazd.

 Materials and Methods

 In this cross sectional study, 1602 women were selected by clustering sampling method and interviewed using a specially formatted questionnaire. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and t-test.

 Results

 Level of knowledge was different across various groups. Illiterate women and housewives had the least level of knowledge. 15% of women had donated blood at least once in the past. The most important motivational factor was sense of moral duty with a spiritual reward and the most important barriers to blood donation were anemia, fear, lack of time, and difficulty in access to donation sites. A significant percentage of women had wrong beliefs about blood donation. There was a direct relationship between knowledge and practice (p=0.0). The number of blood donations was correlated with increase in level of knowledge (p=0.0).

 Conclusions

 Increase in the level of knowledge of women and correction of wrong beliefs should be the topmost priority. Further studies are needed to determine whether addressing anemia and women's health can tend to increase the number of female blood donors.

 Key words : Blood donation, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Women