What are the perspectives for blood donations and blood component transfusion worldwide? A systematic review of time series studies

A Review of Amelioration of Awareness About Blood Donation Through Various Effective and Practical Strategies

Blood donations play a crucial role in medical care; however, the global shortage of donors remains and has a serious impact on medical interventions. The challenges involved include the lack of public awareness of the importance of blood donation, the lack of understanding of the process and eligibility criteria for blood donation, and the lack of comprehensive strategies aimed at raising awareness and participation among potential donors, with particular emphasis on the involvement of young people. It is essential to recognize that blood donation delivers significant benefits to donors and recipients, improves overall health, and ultimately saves lives. Various initiatives, such as blood donation camps, dynamic social media campaigns, and strategic networking of medical professionals, have proved effective in promoting blood donation. In particular, in the event of an emergency, the availability of sufficient blood supplies is increasingly essential, underlining the urgent need to establish and maintain a sustainable blood donor network. An in-depth understanding of the motivation and conservation of donors is crucial in this context, as it is known that demographic factors significantly impact the frequency of blood donation. In addition, ethical and legal considerations require careful attention, highlighting the essential role of obtaining informed consent and ensuring the confidentiality of donors throughout the process. As we look ahead to the evolving landscape, it presents a series of formidable challenges. These challenges encompass the critical necessity to broaden and diversify our donor base, thereby extending and varying our sources of financial support for specific initiatives, organizations, or projects. Moreover, we must proactively harness the opportunities presented by emerging technologies and commit ourselves to closing the information gaps within the existing public knowledge sphere. In summary, the review emphasizes the paramount importance of ongoing efforts to strengthen and enrich donors' engagement through customized strategies and educational outreach.

Blood donor candidates and blood donations performed between 2005 and 2019 in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A time series analysis

Introduction

Time series studies related to blood donor candidates and blood donations are rare in Brazil. Population aging suggests a better understanding of the context related to blood donor candidates and blood donations performed.

Objective

The monthly series of candidates eligible to donate blood and actual donations between 2005 and 2019 at the Hemominas Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were described and analyzed.

Methods

Ten time series were constructed of blood donor candidates and blood donations. Each series covered the period from January 2005 to December 2019. The stationarity of the series was verified by the unit root test; the data distribution, by the Shapiro-Wilk test; the trend, by the Cox-Stuart test, and; the seasonality, by the Fisher's test (significance levels of 10% for the first test and 5% for the last three).

Results

All series were identified as non-stationary and presented trend and seasonality components. The rate of blood donor candidates and the rate of blood donations performed evidenced a positive upward trend until the last two-year analysis, when a drop occurred, from 1.75% and 1.42% in 2017 to 1.64% and 1.35% in 2019, respectively. The rate of blood donations trended downward, from 0.054% in 2005 to 0.046% in 2019. The proportion of unsuitable or unretained candidates reduced.

Conclusion

The study emphasized the need to stimulate blood donation by specific groups and increase ways to reduce the demand for blood components through the implementation of programs that expand alternatives to blood transfusions.