The knowledge of students in Opole Medical School on honorary blood donation and transfusion medicine – analysis of own research/ Wiedza studentów Państwowej Medycznej Wyższej Szkoły Zawodowej w Opolu dotycząca honorowego krwiodawstwa i leczenia krwią – analiza badań własn ych

Abstract

Background: The ultimate purpose of blood donation is to obtain blood from healthy donors for use by those who require a blood transfusion. This becomes possible due to a solid base of blood donors. Oftentimes, students are recruited as they represent a large potential pool of donors. The results of this survey indicate the areas that require focus in order to promote voluntary blood donation. Aim of the study: To determine the amount of knowledge that Opole Medical School students have concerning blood donation and its treatment. Material and methods: This research was performed using a diagnostic survey method. One hundred Opole medical School students anonymously filled out a questionnaire concerning blood donation. Their answers were analyzed in an “R” statistic and PSPP program. The answer content was assessed with consideration for collegiate level, medical education, potential blood donation, and contact with blood donors. Results: 85 % of students think that their knowledge is average. 82 % of students reported understanding that blood donation is non habit- forming, while 65% were aware there is no risk of blood overproduction in the case of regular donations. Approximately 22 % of respondents were aware that blood donation has minimal risk for the donor, but half of the respondents had an incorrect understanding of donor privileges. Conclusions: Students with medical education, senior level students and those who have contact with honor blood donors, do not have greater knowledge than other respondents. The greatest knowledge of blood donation and transfusion have these students who are actually honor blood donors.

Impact of regular blood donation on the human body; donors’ perspective. Donors’ opinion on side effects of regular blood donation on human body

“…Our study results are confirmed by those of Czapla et al (2015), where 82% of students believed that the risk of becoming addicted to blood donation is a myth [11]. In another study, Czapla et al (2017) analyzed the perception of myths on blood donation among students to find that most of them think blood donation is non-addictive (82%) [12]. Studies by Pirincci et al demonstrated that only 1% of responders believed that regular blood donation may lead to addiction [13].…”

“…In this study, 98.0% of responders who donated the largest volume of blood, denied the occurrence of such phenomenon. Czapla demonstrated that the highest percentage of her student responders (65%) believed that excessive RBC production c is in no way associated with regular, voluntary blood donation [12]. In her analysis, Orzeł-Nowak demonstrated that only 5.2% of responders felt anxiety over excessive production of RBCs after regular donations [15].…”