Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Knowing about the effects of blood donation on blood donors plays an important role in donor recruitment as these effects determine the decision of donors on whether to donate again or not. The aim of the present study was to determine the psycho-social and physical effects of blood donation on donors.

 Materials and Methods

 In this cross sectional study conducted at Yazd Blood Transfusion Center, between September 2005 and January 2007, 1000 randomly selected blood donors participated in the study and were asked to fill the especially formatted questionnaire. Data were analyzed through chi-square, ANOVA test, and logestic regression.

 Results

 955 (95.5%) subjects were male and 45 (4.5%) female. Two thirds of donors reported one or more positive effects. 2.9% of donors reflected only negative effects. Positive effects included the sense of satisfaction, sense of happiness and relaxation, and positive post donation feeling. Negative effects in females were more frequent than in males. The mean duration of positive effects was 15.1±6.9 days, while that of negative effects was 3.1± 1.1 days. There was no correlation between the number of donations or age and occurrence of effects (P= 0.109).

 Conclusions

 Most of the effects reported by the blood donors were positive and lasted for a much longer duration than the negative effects. 80% of donors experienced more than one positive effect. Even though few of the donors most of whom with a single status reported negative effects. It is advisable for further studies to be conducted for these effects to be reduced particularly in women. A clear illustration of donor experiences as part of recruitment programs can reduce undue fear in unaware prospective donors leading into increased donor recruitment.

 Key words : Blood donation, Side effects, Psychology, Blood donors