Turk J Hematol 2010; 27(4): 275-281

Are university students a favorable target group for blood donation campaigns?

Bülent Eser, Fatih Kurnaz, Leylagül Kaynar, Mehmet Yay, Serdar Şıvgın, Ali Ünal, Mustafa Çetin
Erciyes Üniversitesi M.K.Dedeman Hematoloji-Onkoloji Hastanesi
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the willingness of university students regarding blood donation and to compare results among residents living in the Kayseri city center.
METHODS: Admission for blood donation after donor acquisition campaigns and the rates of repeated donation over a one-year period were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: Between November 2006 and August 2008, a total of 29614 people were included in the study. After educational campaigns, the rate of admission for blood donation was 66% among university students, while it was only 29% among the city residents. Although the deferral rate and adverse events during donation were found to be higher in the student group, they had a higher repeated donation rate and higher return rate after a short message system.
CONCLUSION: University students appear to be good candidates for long-term regular blood donation. Use of a short message system to issue reminders about blood donation may be a reasonable method to replenish the blood supply.