| Author: | Hong Sung, Yuen-fan Juliana |
| Title: | A study of the factors influencing Hong Kong young people's behaviour towards blood donation |
| Degree: | DHSc |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Subject: | Blood donors -- Psychology Youth -- China -- Hong Kong -- Attitudes Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Faculty of Health and Social Sciences |
| Pages: | xi, 251 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Blood is a vital healthcare resource and patients can be endangered when there is a shortage of blood supply. In Hong Kong, only 3% of the total population donate blood (Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service 2008), however, more than 20 percent of annual donations come from youngsters aged between 18 and 25. Due to the increase of the aging populations, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service forecasts that the annual blood demand will increase by 25% in the next 20 years. Study aims and objectives: This study aims to explore the characteristics of blood donors and the key factors that contribute to blood donation behaviours. It is expected that the results of the study will provide the local transfusion professionals updated infonnation and a better understanding of blood donation behaviours so that appropriate donor recruitment strategies could be developed. Method: This is a cross-sectional study using questionnaire to solicit information from young people aged 18 to 25, both blood donors and non-donors, about their socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes, social norms; perceived control and their past experience towards blood donation. The study was conducted at the blood donation centres, schools and mobile collection sites. Results: A total of 3,316 young people were recruited in 2008. The response rate was 94.7%. Among the respondents, 2,523 (76.1%) were blood donors and 785 (23.7%) were non-donors. Results showed that blood donors were significantly older in age, born in Hong Kong (84.9%) and had lived in Hong Kong for a longer period of time (90.1% resided over 10 years). More than half of blood donors had 2 to 5 donations (54.1%), however, only 3% of them donated within an interval of one year. Blood donors preferred to donate blood at static donor centres (73.4%). Most of them did not encounter any adverse reaction during donation (73.7%) and satisfied more with the BTS' services (staff techniques 91%, staff attitudes 94.8%, environment of donation venues 90.8%). Blood donors demonstrated better knowledge on blood and blood donation related issues and realized that blood was needed to save life (94.8%). They perceived they had possessed better health (96.6%) and less likely practised in high risk behaviours (95.7%). They donated blood mainly motivated by altruistic reason of helping others (91 %) and were more likely to register as organ donors (33.6%). Many non-donors were underweighted (28.9%). Among the female non-donors in the age group of 21-25, the percentage of underweight (BMI ≤ 18.4) was even doubled the figure of blood donors (40.4% non-donor against 21.8% blood donors). Some non-donors regarded donation as a mean of getting a free physical check-up (29.5%) and blood testing of HIV / Hepatitis B (22.9%). They agreed more with the barriers to blood donation including: afraid of pain (45.8%), afraid of needle (34.3%), having no time (21.6%), too thin (22.5%), afraid of sight of blood (20.3%), being fainted when donating blood (15.5%), adversely affecting their health (14%). Conclusion: Blood donor recruitment strategies should emphasize on the promotion of blood usage; and recognition of blood donors. BTS can involve experienced young donors as a role model to promote blood donation. Interventions such as encouragement of water intake prtor to donation (Newman 2003) and audiovisual distraction (Bonk et a1 2001) should be put for trial to minimize the adverse reactions and to encourage people to donate regularly. Health education programs should be launched in the secondary schools to minimize young people's misconception about blood donation. Moreover, young adults are more likely to be underweighted nowadays. Body weight is one of the key criteria for blood donation. Health promotion for balance diet can help young people to restore a healthy body weight. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b24176795.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 42.08 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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