Blood Donation Behavior and Health Impacts
Summary
Blood donation is a vital public health endeavour driven by a complex interplay of individual motivations, social norms and systemic factors. Voluntary donors supply life-saving components for surgery, trauma care and chronic disease management, yet shortages persist worldwide. Research highlights that altruistic motivation, perceived behavioural control and positive donation experiences bolster recruitment and retention. Conversely, fears of adverse reactions, inconvenient donation logistics and lack of information deter prospective donors. Demographic patterns reveal higher participation among young adults, individuals with moderate to high socioeconomic status and those with prior donation history, while women, older adults and socially marginalised groups often under-represented. Beyond its societal value, donation also influences donor health: regular phlebotomy may lower iron stores and confer modest reductions in cardiovascular risk, although it can precipitate iron deficiency if screening and supplementation are inadequate. Psychological benefits, including enhanced well-being and social connectedness, further underscore the reciprocal nature of donation. Emerging strategies to sustain blood supplies leverage digital engagement, personalised reminder systems and targeted campaigns that address specific barriers. As global demand grows with ageing populations and expanding surgical capacity, tailored interventions that integrate behavioural science and robust donor management protocols are essential to secure safety and sufficiency.
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Blood Donation Behavior and Health Impacts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in blood donation behavior and health impacts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Blood donation behaviour change support systems (BDBCSS): Digital tools and frameworks designed to guide and sustain donor engagement through personalised prompts, feedback and educational content.
Donor deferral: Temporary or permanent postponement of a prospective donor from giving blood due to health, safety or eligibility criteria.
Altruistic motivation: A self-initiated desire to help others and contribute to societal welfare without expectation of personal reward.
PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling): A statistical technique for modelling complex relationships among observed and latent variables, often used to assess factors influencing donor attitudes and loyalty.
References
- Designing Behavior Change Support Systems Targeting Blood Donation Behavior. Business & Information Systems Engineering (2024).
- Association Between Concerns About COVID-19 Infection and Blood Donation Intention: Cross-Sectional Survey Study Through a Mobile Communication Platform. Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023).
- Prosocial customer in the public sector: A PLS-SEM analysis applied to blood donation (active donors). Socio-Economic Planning Sciences (2023).
- Factors that motivate and hinder blood donation in Greece. Transfusion Medicine (2007).
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