Introduction. The supply of blood from healthy blood donors (BD) is essential
for safe blood transfusions. As students play an important role in
providing adequate blood supplies, this study analyzes the frequency and
reasons for blood donor deferral among the student population of Vojvodina,
with the intention of reducing the rate of deferral and improving re-entry.
Material and Methods. A retrospective study examined blood donor deferral
records of the University of Novi Sad students who donated blood at the
Blood Transfusion Institute of Vojvodina, from January 1 to December 31,
2022. The deferrals have been categorized based on pre-donation deferral
causes, the blood donor deferral period, in relevance to the safety of both
the blood donor and the recipient. Results. Of 867 students in total, 121
(13.9%) were deferred from donating blood. 72/121 (59.5%) of them were
female, 49/121 (11.3%) were male, and 99/121 (81.8%) were regular blood
donors. Temporary deferrals of less than 3 months were recorded for 98/121
(80.99%) students, while deferrals for 6 months were applicable to 19/121
(15.7%), with 4/121 (3.3%) experiencing permanent deferrals. The number of
blood donors deferred due to safety reasons of the very donors was 85/121
(70.2%). The most common reasons were low hemoglobin level 17/121 (14.1%),
medication deferral (pain-killers, antihista?mines, antibiotics) 17/121
(14.1%) and adverse reactions prior to blood donation 15/121 (12.3%).
Conclusion. Educating blood donors about high-risk behaviors, medication
usage, screening for iron deficiency and hypertension could be the most
important tool to reduce the rate of deferral and improve blood donor
re-entry.