Korean J Lab Med.  2009 Dec;29(6):570-577. 10.3343/kjlm.2009.29.6.570.

Perception of the Risks of Blood Transfusion in Koreans

• Whang DH
• Um TH
• Ha M

• KMID: 1781612
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/kjlm.2009.29.6.570

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The perceived risks of blood transfusions are important to be considered in creating a blood service policy. We surveyed the perception of blood transfusion risks among Korean laypeople. METHODS: A one-month nationwide telephone survey was conducted in September, 2007. The questionnaire was designed to assess the demographics of respondents, their responses to the term 'blood transfusion', and the perceived risks of a transfusion. A total of 500 interviews were completed. RESULTS: The words evoked by the term 'blood transfusion' included blood, donation, AIDS, help, and patients. About one third (33.6-35.8%) of the respondents gave a moderate to high rating for the perceived risks of blood transfusions. More than half (55.6%) of the respondents agreed that the blood supply in Korea is safe, and 81.6% of the respondents agreed to be transfused when transfusion is needed. The perceived risk of a blood transfusion was greater in women than in men and in people who never had a transfusion than those who had. More men than women agreed that the blood supply in Korea is safe, and the proportion of respondents who agreed to be transfused when needed was higher in men and in less educated people. The relative perceived transfusion risk (scale of 10) was 4.5+/-2.3. CONCLUSIONS: The Koreans in the survey had a tendency of positive thinking about blood transfusions, and previous transfusion experiences appear to decrease the fear about transfusions. These results will be useful in understanding how Koreans think about the risks associated with transfusions.

Keyword

Transfusion; Risk perception; Survey; Korean

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Blood Transfusion/*psychology
Demography
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
*Perception
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Sex Factors

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Relative risk perception of blood transfusion and 22 environmental hazards.

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