The Effect of Knowledge and Altruism on the Blood Donation Behavior among High School Students.
- Author:
Yu Jeong KIM
1
;
Min Ho SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Public Health, Graduate School Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Blood donation;
Altruism;
Knowledge;
Behavior
- MeSH:
Altruism;
Blood Donors;
Cohort Studies;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Motivation;
Public Relations;
Red Cross;
Tissue Donors;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
2010;21(1):16-24
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of knowledge and altruism on the blood donation behavior among high school students. METHODS: This cohort study enrolled 299 high school students who had not previously donated blood, but who had participated in a school group blood donation program at Gwangju.Chonnam Red Cross Blood Center. An initial survey was conducted 1 month before the planned blood donation program. The blood donation program was conducted from May to June 2009. A follow-up survey was conducted 1 month later. The first questionnaire consisted of 42 questions on general characteristics, knowledge of blood donation, altruism and public relations issues associated with blood donation. The second questionnaire consisted of 6 questions about the motivation for blood donation and the reasons for not donating. RESULTS: Among the enrolled students, there were 143 (47.8%) donors and 156 (52.2%) students completed and returned the questionnaires. The level of knowledge was not significantly associated with blood donation (P=0.959). The more altruistic group had an increased blood donation rate (OR=2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29~3.66) compared with the less altruistic group. After adjusting for school, religion, the parents' income, parents' education and residence, the more altruistic group had a persistently increased blood donation rate (OR=1.98; 95% CI 1.18~3.32). CONCLUSION: In this study, altruism was associated with blood donation. Therefore, we need to develop an education program to enhance altruism in order to increase blood donation from high school students.
