6.7.2 Why don’t Israelis donate blood and how can this be changed? (249)

Merav Ben Natan, Nurse Educator, Department of Nursing, Pat Mattews Academic School of Nursing Hadera, Hadera, Israel Co authors: Lena Gorkov meraav@hy.health.gov.il

Abstract:

In most developed countries, and in particular, in Israel, there is a chronic shortage of blood. This is a phenomenon that raises questions about ways to increase blood donations. In light of the above, the purpose of this study is to review the factors influencing the decision of the Israeli population to donate blood. This study might aid in designing interventional methods to raise the number of blood donors.

This is a quantitative study. A questionnaire was created that was based on a review of the literature and the “theory of planned behavior.” The questionnaire was distributed among a random sampling of 167 Israeli men and women, aged 17-60. The results show that married men aged 26-45 with a high level of education and born in Israel, are more likely to donate blood compared to the rest of the population. The main factors that were found to be related to intention and the actual decision to donate blood are: the feelings of the individual that he/she can overcome barriers that impede the donation, level of knowledge of the subject of blood donation and anticipation of negative feelings such as disappointment at not having donated blood. One of the outstanding findings is that the Ethiopian-Jewish community in Israel has an extremely low level of intention to donate blood.

The findings support the “theory of planned behavior.” This study has shown that perceived behavioral control of the Israeli to donate blood, his subjective norms and his attitude regarding blood donation predict his intention to donate blood. The results of this study have shown that there are a number of interventional methods that can be used to increase blood donations. These include: reduction of the perceived barriers and the use of various strategies that will encourage the population to donate blood.

Recommended reading list:

  • Salonen, J.T., Tuomainen, T-P., Salonen, R., Lakka, T.A. and Nyyssonen, K. (1998). Donation of blood is associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction. American Journal of Epidemiology, 148(5), 445-451
  • Lemmens, K.P.H., Abraham, C., Hoekstra, T., Ruiter, R.A.C., De Kort, W.L.A.M., Brug, J. and Schaalma, H.P. (2005). Why don't young people volunteer to give blood? An investigation of the correlates of donation intentions among young nondonors. Transfusion, 45, 945-955
  • Godin, G., Sheeran, P., Conner, M., Germain, M., Blondeau, D., Gagne, C., Beaulieu, D. and Naccache, H. (2005). Factors explaining the intention to give blood among the general population. Vox Sanguinis, 89, 140-149

Source of Funding: N/A

Amount in Funding: N/A