The Effect of Knowledge and Altruism on the Blood Donation Behavior among High School Students

Kim, Yu Jeong; Shin, Min Ho

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.