Blood donation during COVID-19 lockdown and its association with anger and stress: A cross-sectional study from Syria

Abstract

BackgroundThe demand for blood donations in Syria was high as the country has suffered for 9 years from war, and this demand has substantially increased during and after the lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess blood donations in Syria and their association with multiple factors.MethodsOnline questionnaires were distributed to social media groups, with questions related to stress, anger, and COVID-19 distress.ResultsThis study included 1,423 participants, of which 899 (63.2%) were women. Only 48.5% have ever donated blood, of which 33.3% donated only once in their lifetime. Not having a good reason to donate blood was the main reason for not donating. Obtaining documents was the main reason for blood donation among people who donated blood (64.8%). Stress, anger, and fear of infection were not associated with blood donation and its patterns. Losing someone close and being endangered by war were associated with more frequent blood donations in contrast to being distressed by war.ConclusionCOVID-19 distress, stress, and anger were not associated with the decrease in blood donation. Spreading awareness on volunteer blood donation is crucial to combat blood shortage during stressful times.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of blood donation among undergraduate medical students in Syria

“…The Syrian conflict has highlighted the challenges of providing healthcare services, including a lack of medical personnel and drugs, which further emphasizes the need for a safe and adequate blood supply. [8,9]…”

“…Issuing official documents was the main reason for blood donation among individuals who donated blood (64.8%). [8]…”

A social capital approach of market orientation in public non‐profit organizations: The case of blood transfusion centers in Spain

“…The results of these studies show, for example, that German donors, although they expressed to feel less responsible and less morally obliged to donate, increased short‐term blood donation intentions at the beginning of the pandemic compared to the pre‐pandemic phase (Veseli et al, 2022). On their part, Syrian donors declared that they did not donate blood simply because they did not need to and not because of COVID‐19 distress or restrictions (Kakaje et al, 2023). In addition, in South India, donors related to a blood center of a tertiary care hospital expressed satisfaction with the blood donation experience during COVID‐19 pandemic (Tripathi et al, 2022).…”

“…As a result of an altruistic behavior donors have demonstrated a moral concern for the well‐being of others, instead of theirs's own, which in turn has translated into a positive attitude toward helping others (Graça & Zwick, 2021). Additionally, it may be also possible that this return to normality could be a consequence of the greater emphasis on donor orientation of BTCS during the pandemic using information strategies, retention and recruitment strategies, spreading awareness on volunteer blood donation, as well as analyzing the motivations and barriers to donating blood (Bilancini et al, 2022; Kakaje et al, 2023; Tripathi et al, 2022; Veseli et al, 2022; Wang et al, 2021). Particularly, Quee et al (2022) research about blood donor's motivators during the COVID pandemic in Netherlands state that whole blood donors (90.8%) were motivated by the calls for donation, which shows the importance of explicitly expressing need in times of crisis by blood banks and philanthropic organizations.…”

“…As a result of an altruistic behavior donors have demonstrated a moral concern for the wellbeing of others, instead of theirs's own, which in turn has translated into a positive attitude toward helping others (Graça & Zwick, 2021). Additionally, it may be also possible that this return to normality could be a consequence of the greater emphasis on donor orientation of BTCS during the pandemic using information strategies, retention and recruitment strategies, spreading awareness on volunteer blood donation, as well as analyzing the motivations and barriers to donating blood (Bilancini et al, 2022;Kakaje et al, 2023;Tripathi et al, 2022;Veseli et al, 2022;Wang et al, 2021 donors in order to create marketing strategies that address their values and promote sustainable involvement, with an especial attention to philanthropy as an intrinsic motivation in young people attitudes and intent to donate (Gorczyca & Hartman, 2017;Graça & Zwick, 2021). Therefore, the importance of reinforcing donor orientation of BTCS (and the internal social capital mechanisms that support this orientation) seems evident in a world where blood donation need is increasingly higher.…”