Myanmar Language Thesis

YANGON UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME
A STUDY ON THE FACTORS AFFECTING VOLUNTARY

BLOOD DONATION IN NATIONAL BLOOD CENTER,
YANGON
AYE AYE MON

EMPA – 6 (14th Batch)
AUGUST, 2018
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME
A STUDY ON THE FACTORS AFFECTING VOLUNTARY

BLOOD DONATION IN NATIONAL BLOOD CENTER, YANGON
This thesis is submitted as a partial fulfillment towards the requirements for the degree of
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Supervised by Submitted by
Professor Dr. Thida Htay Aye Aye Mon

Department of Applied Economics Roll No. 6
Monywa University of Economics EMPA 14th Batch
August, 2018
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINSTRATION PROGRAMME
This is to certify that this thesis paper entitled “A Study on the Factors affecting Voluntary
Blood Donation in National Blood Center, Yangon” submitted as a partial fulfilment of the
requirement for the Degree of Master of Public Administration, has been accepted by the
Board of Examiners.
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
1. Professor Dr. Tun Aung

Pro Rector
Yangon University of Economics (Chief Examiner)
2. Dr. Kyaw Min Htun

Pro-Rector (Retired)
Yangon University of Economics (Examiner)
3. Dr. Ni Lar Myint Htoo

Pro-Rector
4. Dr. Phyu Phyu Ei

Professor and Head
Department of Applied Economics
5. Daw Yi Yi Khin
Associate Professor
Department of Applied Economics
August, 2018
ABSTRACT
Secure supply of safe blood components from voluntary non-remunerated

blood donation is an important national goal to prevent blood shortages. The objective
of this study is to find out the factors affecting voluntary blood donation among the
public who came to National Blood Center (Yangon) for blood donation. The data
was collected by well structured self administered questionnaire. Among the total 385
participants, male respondents were found to be more likely to donate blood than
female respondents. The older the respondents were, the higher the knowledge about
voluntary blood donation they had. The level of education increases, participants’
knowledge towards voluntary blood donation also increases. The overall level of
knowledge of the respondents in this study is comparable with the prevalence of
adequate knowledge towards blood donation in developing countries which is
estimated to be (60.0%). Almost all of the respondents had favorable attitude towards
voluntary blood donation and also were willing to donate in the future. Male
participants had more sense of social responsibility than female participants. The
commonest reason for voluntary blood donation was altruism and the moral factor
was the weakest motivator for all respondents.
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to forward my gratitude to Yangon University of

Economics, Master of Public Administration Program for providing me such an
opportunity of studying on my interest.
I am sincerely grateful to hundreds of volunteers who participated in my

survey. Without their involvement, the completion of this thesis would not have been
possible.
I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Dr. Khin Naing Oo, Rector
of the Yangon University of Economics. I am also deeply indebted to Pro-Rector
Dr. Kyaw Min Htun (Retired). And then, I would like to show my gratitude to Pro-
Rector Dr. Tun Aung. I am grateful thanks to all my teachers and Dr. Phyu Phyu Ei,
Professor and Head, Department of Applied Economics.
I would like to express my heart full gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Thida

Htay, for her valuable guidance, feedback, encouragement and wholesome support on
the subject throughout the study period and in developing capability to conduct the
research study successfully.
My special thanks extend to Professor Dr. Thida Aung, Officer-in-Charge of

the NBC for providing all the vital information and documents regarding the National
Blood Donation Status. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Khin Khin
Htwe for her warm and friendly support which has helped much to explore the
research.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
CONTENTS iii
LIST OF TABLES v
LIST OF FIGURES vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Rational of the Study 3
1.2 Objective of the Study 4
1.3 Method of Study 5
1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study 5
1.5 Organization of the Study 5
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Importance of Blood and Blood Donors 7
2.2 Blood Donation and Socio-demographic Factor 8
2.3 Review on Previous Studies 9
CHAPTER 3 OVERVIEW OF THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
IN MYANMAR
3.1 Blood Transfusion Service in Myanmar 15
3.2 Role of Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) 16
3.3 National Blood Bank (NBC) and BTS 17
3.4 Criteria for Blood Donor Selection 23
CHAPTER 4 SURVEY ANALYSIS
4.1 Survey Profile 26
4.2 Survey Design 27
4.3 Survey Findings 29
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
5.1 Findings and Discussion 52
5.2 Recommendations 60
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
iii
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Title Page

3.1 Proportion of Reasons of Deferral 22
4.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents 30
4.2 Religion, Ethnicity and the Distribution of Residential Areas 31
4.3 Knowledge on Source of Blood Supply 35
4.4 Knowledge Assessment of Participants 36
4.5 Diseases which Can be Acquired Via Transfusion 37
4.6 Factors Associated with Knowledge Level of Participants on 39
Voluntary Blood Donation
4.7 Attitude of Participants Towards Voluntary Blood Donation 40
4.8 Factors Associated with Attitude Level 42
4.9 Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation Among Donors 43
4.10 Factors Associated with Reasons for Donating Blood 44
4.11 Blood Donation Practice per Age Among 1st Time and Repeat 45
Donors
4.12 Distribution of Donors According to Their Practice 45
4.13 Blood Donation Practice per Age among Donors 46
4.14 Motivational Status of Respondents in Gender, Age Group and 48
Respondent Type
4.15 Motivational Status in Gender, Age Group and Respondent Type 49
4.16 Reasons for Not Donating Regularly Among Repeat Donors 50
4.17 Blood Bank can do in Order to Encourage More People to be 51
Blood Donors
iv
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Title Page

3.1 Volunteer/Replacement Pattern of Blood Donation from 17
1999 to 2006
3.2 Number of Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donations 19
in 7 Blood Banks from 2010 to 2015
4.1 Age Distribution among Donors 34
4.2 Distribution of Overall Level of Knowledge 38
v
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ABO Blood type A, B, AB and O

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
BTS Blood Transfusion Service
FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma
Hb Hemoglobin
HBV Hepatitis B Virus
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
HIV Human Immune Virus
ISBT International Society of Blood Transfusion
KAP Knowledge, Attitude and Practice
MRCS Myanmar Red Cross Society
NBC National Blood Center
NGO Non Governmental Organization
PRC Packed Red Cell
PRP Platelet Rich Plasma
RBC Red Blood Cell
VD Voluntary Donor
VFI Volunteer Functions Inventory
VNRBD Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation
WBC White Blood Cell
WHO World Health Organization
YGH Yangon General Hospital
vi
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Blood is a little bit thick and sticky red fluid that circulates in our blood
vessels. It is one of the most vital components of the body. According to blood facts
by Wiki, July 2018, depending on the size and weight of the body, a man has the
amount of blood of about 4 lit to 6 lit (8 to 12 units). Of many important functions,
mainly the blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to cells and carries the metabolic
waste products and carbon dioxide away from same cells to the lungs. It maintains the
right body temperature by flowing throughout the blood vessels from our head to our
toes.
Blood donation is the process that a healthy person has his blood voluntarily
drawn for transfusion to the needy. Donating blood to save lives of unknown patients
requires a generous will without receiving any payment for it.
First blood transfusion therapy occurred in the mid-1660 in England from dog
to dog and the first human transfusions were conducted both in Paris and London in
1667 (Elizabeth Y, 2015). After the great discovery of ABO blood groups in early
20th century, blood transfusion could be made as a safe and routine medical practice
and then during 2nd world war, the concept of blood banks and blood preservation
were introduced (Sarkar S, 2008).
Millions of people need blood transfusions each year. Some may need blood
during surgery. Others depend on the accident they met or a disease they have that
requires blood components. Blood donation makes all of this possible. There is no
substitute for human blood; all transfusions use blood from donors.
The potential for misuse of blood transfusion system still exists, although the
magnitude has significantly reduced. The emphasis has now rightly moved from
merely depending on replacement blood donors to voluntary blood donations.
Voluntary non-remunerated blood donor (VNRBD) means that a person gives blood,
plasma or cellular components with his/her own free will and receives no payment for
1
it, either in the form of cash, or in kind which could be considered a substitute for
money. Small tokens, refreshments and reimbursements of direct travel costs are
compatible with voluntary non-remunerated donation (WHO, 2010).
The blood demand for transfusion continuously increases and blood reserves
are sometimes in short supply as a result of the increasing amount of surgeries being
performed and large disasters and emergency events.
World Health Organization advocates that 3-5% of the population should
donate blood every year, which would be the ideal rate for maintaining a country’s
stock of blood and blood products at acceptable level. The collection of blood should
only be from voluntary donors (low risk population), that is one of the four
components of WHO’s integral strategy to promote global safety and minimize risk
associated with transfusion (Devi H S, Laishram J, Shantibala K. & Elangbam V,
2012).
WHO also insist countries to focus on young people to achieve 100 per cent
voluntary unpaid blood donation because they are healthy, active, dynamic and
receptive and constitute a greater proportion of population. They have to be
encouraged, inspired and motivated to donate blood voluntarily. Considering the
importance and significance of voluntary blood donation this study has carried out to
understand knowledge, attitude and practice about blood donation among blood
donors in NBC.
There were wide variations in blood donation rates among countries, ranging
from 0.3 to 56 per 1000 population. WHO estimates that blood donation by 1% of the
population is generally the minimum needed to meet a nation’s most basic
requirements for blood; the requirements are higher in countries with more advanced
health care systems. Based on samples of 1000 people, the blood donation rate is 32.1
donations in high-income countries, 14.9 donations in upper-middle-income
countries, 7.8 donations in lower-middle-income countries and 4.6 donations in low-
income countries (WHO, 2017).
In Myanmar, a blood donation rate is less than 0.1% (less than 1 donation per
1000 population) and Yangon NBC has been continuously trying to maintain the
regular voluntary blood donors, carry out educational campaigns on importance of
blood donation, put up adverts on TV, radio, Website on blood donation and make
contact with universities and social organizations including philanthropic
2
organizations. That’s why it is necessary to establish factors that are associated with
voluntary blood donation to help make the populace donate blood.
1.1 Rationale of the Study

A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn where the
whole blood was separated into components (called fractionation) and used for
transfusions. Donation may be of whole-blood, or of specific components directly (the
latter called aphaeresis).
In developing countries, blood supplies are limited and chronic blood
shortages are common and blood banks usually rely on replacement donors who give
blood when family or friends need a transfusion. Well organized health care provision
may be available in major urban, but large amount of the population in rural areas
have access only to more limited health services in which blood transfusion may be
unsafe or not available at all. In the developed world, most blood donors are voluntary
non-remunerated repeat donors who donate blood for a community supply. Generally,
many donors donate blood due to altruism, but some may be paid donors and some
may desire incentives other than money such as paid time off from work.
Donating is relatively safe, but some donors have bruising where the needle is
inserted or may feel faint. Safe blood is blood that does not contain any viruses,
parasites, drugs, alcohol, chemical substances or other extraneous factors that might
cause harm, danger or disease to the recipient. Voluntary blood donors are the first
line of defense to prevent the transmission of blood born infections such as HIV,
Hepatitis, Parasites, etc. Voluntary blood donors are also the safest donors because
they are motivated by the desire to help others and a sense of moral duty of social
responsibility. In a well-organized blood donation programs, voluntary donors are
well-informed about donor selection criteria and are more likely to self-defer if they
are no longer eligible to donate. This also leads to less wastage of donated blood, with
all its associated costs, because fewer blood units test positive for infection and need
to be discarded. In family replacement and paid donors who are seeking to help their
families and to get income respectively, leads to increased risk of the transmission of
infection and higher volume of donated blood that has to be destroyed because of
infectious disease.
The need for blood demand may arise at any time in both rural and urban areas
around the world, but just 3% of the eligible persons donate blood. The hospitals
3
unnecessarily rely on replacement and paid donors and many countries encounter the
challenge of blood shortage.
Those include Myanmar, where there has been no balance between blood
supply and demand and a blood donation rate is less than 0.1% (less than 1 donation
per 1000 population). Blood shortages overwhelmingly exist throughout the country.
The reason for my interest of this study comes from the current situation of blood and
blood donation in Myanmar.
Providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every
country’s national health care policy and infrastructure. To ensure safe, adequate and
sustainable blood supplies all over the country, not only the health workers but also
people who are eligible for blood donation and in good health with their own free will
to give their blood, play a significant role. However, there is no sufficient data
throughout Myanmar including the study area to determine the factors that affect
voluntary blood donation among the general public and this study will find the present
situation of knowledge, attitude, practice and motivational factors related to voluntary
blood donation in people who came to donate blood.
A study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of the donors and
motivational factors to be a voluntary blood donor may prove to be useful in the
successful implementation of the blood donation programme. Although there are lots
of international publications assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of
voluntary blood donation in many other countries, literatures on knowledge, attitude
and practice of voluntary blood donations are hardly available in our country.
Therefore, this research would help to fulfill the existing gaps in this regard and
would be beneficial for community, health personnel, planners and policy makers and
NGOs to use of it and to determine appropriate strategies to enhance voluntary blood
donation practice and others who are engaged in blood donation activities.
1.2 Objective of the Study

The objective of the study is to identify the knowledge, attitude and practice of
voluntary blood donation and to determine the motives for voluntary blood donation.
4
1.3 Method of Study
Descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the primary data
at NBC, Yangon. A total of 385 respondents were randomly selected during two
weeks period in Dec 2017. Average 30 respondents per day were interviewed.
Questionnaire -based study including demographic data, knowledge, attitude, practice,
and reasons and motivation for donation was used to obtain the required data for the
analysis of the survey results. The questionnaires were validated by the officials of the
blood bank. The secondary data were collected from related papers and reports
received from NBC and international papers from the Internet.
1.4 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study includes regular donors, first time donors and deferrals that are not
eligible for blood donation. The sample size estimation was done using the simple
population proportion formula and the sample population was 385 with the eligible
age between 18 years and 60 years. This study mainly focuses on the people who
came to NBC for donation and not people at other places or donation camps.
Therefore this study may not be representative of the whole country and needs further
study for more information.
1.5 Organization of the Study

This study is composed of five chapters. The first chapter is Introduction of
the study and it has five subtitles; Rationale of the Study, Objective of the Study,
Study Design and Method, Scope and Limitation and Organization of the Study. The
second chapter outlines the Literature Review in which related international studies
including knowledge, attitude, practice and motivations of the voluntary blood
donation are included. In chapter three, Overview of Myanmar Blood Transfusion
Services with the role of NBC and blood donation criteria are described. The Survey
is conducted in chapter four with participants’ socio-demographic data and their
related KAP about voluntary blood donation. This chapter also explores the
influencing factors on the respondents to donate blood. Chapter five is the Conclusion
of the study and it reveals the Findings of survey analysis and presents the discussion
and recommendation of the study.
5
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter reviews the critical elements to increase voluntary unpaid regular
blood donors. The chapter is organized into themes relevant to the voluntary blood
donation in literature worldwide, the importance of blood and blood donors, blood
donation and socio-demographic factors which are closely related to survey analysis
of the study and the review on previous studies about the level of knowledge on
voluntary blood donation, attitudes towards voluntary blood donation and factors
influencing voluntary blood donation.
Literature worldwide shows that socio-demographic characteristics,
knowledge, attitude and reasons and motivational factors affect the opinion of the
general public about voluntary blood donation and reflect the problems encountered
in blood donor recruitment, particularly with the emphasis and shift from replacement
to voluntary blood donors.
WHO recognized the existence of a significant dependency on family/relative
replacement and remunerated donors in developing countries in the Melbourne
Declaration and advocates the establishment of national blood transfusion services
that functions on the basis of voluntary non-remunerated donation by member states
(WHO, 2009).
According to the WHO (2014), out of (108) million blood donations collected
from (179) countries globally, about half of them are collected in high-income
countries, which are the home of 18% of the population in the world. The literature
also indicates that there is a clear variation among high income countries and low
income countries with regards to level of access to blood. About 65% of blood
transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age in low-income countries, while
the most frequently transfuse group of people in high-income countries is over 65
years of age, which accounts for up to 76% of all transfusions. The median rate of
blood donation in high-income countries is 36.8 donations per 1000 population while
6
that of middle-income and low-income countries are 11.7 donations per 1000
populations and 3.9 donations, respectively.
2.1 Importance of Blood and Blood Donors

Blood is a complex red fluid that circulates in our blood vessels. The main
function of blood is to transport the nutrients and oxygen through the whole body and
to carry back to dispose of waste and carbon dioxide through the lungs. It also has a
major role in the body’s defense against infection. Nearly half the volume of blood
consists of cells and the remainder is fluid called plasma. The blood cells comprise a
mixture of red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes) and platelets
(thrombocytes). The plasma contains many different proteins, chemical substances,
clotting (coagulation) factors and numerous metabolic substances. Blood cells are
produced in bone marrow.
Blood donation is important for not only saving people lives but also for the
pursuit of a better social and living environment, and voluntary blood donation is of
great social importance. It is important that voluntary non-remunerated blood
donations should be promoted, accepted and practiced for safe blood supply.
Almost all serious health issues use blood donated by people to save lives.
Blood that is donated lasts a little more than 40 days. Then it must be disposed of.
That means it is necessary to constantly replenish the blood so it is there when
someone needs it. One cannot make blood. It is a gift all people have inside of them to
give to those who are injured, sick, or in need. Those are the best reasons to donate
blood.
Generally, only individuals in good health should be accepted as blood
donors. As a voluntary blood donor, a person must have been declared fit after a
medical examination and fulfilling a donor questionnaire with related criteria.
According to the WHO guidelines, the usual lower and upper age limits for blood
donations are 18 years and 65 years, respectively. Prospective donors of whole blood
donations should weigh at least 45 kg to donate 350 ml and 50 kg to donate 450 ml. A
normal pulse rate should be 60-100 per minute and a core oral temperature should not
be more than 37.6 degree Celsius. A normal blood pressure (systolic 120–129 mmHg,
diastolic 80–89 mmHg) is generally regarded as an indicator of good health. A
hemoglobin level is not less than 12.0 g/dl for females and not less than 13.0 g/dl for
males. The minimum interval between donations of whole blood should be 12 weeks
7
for males and 16 weeks for females. Providing 500 ml drinking water to donors
should be made before donation to minimize the risk of vasovagal reactions.
The most safest and suitable blood donor is a healthy person who is eligible
with the requirements to be a blood donor and he donates his blood regularly with his
own free will without receiving any payment. Such a voluntary unpaid blood donors
are the safest group of blood donors and they could be the source of sustainable
national blood supplies sufficient for the countries blood demand. Voluntary blood
donors are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products
from low-risk populations (Woldemichae, 2016).
2.2 Voluntary Blood Donation and Socio-demographic Factor

A voluntary non-remunerated blood donor is a person who gives blood,
plasma or cellular components of his or her own free will and receives no payment,
either in the form of cash or in kind which could be considered a substitute for money
(Keown J, 1997).
Voluntary blood donors are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of
blood and blood products. The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated
blood donors from low-risk populations. A person who gives blood, plasma or other
blood components of his/her own free will and receives no payment for it, either in
the form of cash or in-kind which could be considered a substitute for money. This
includes time off work, other than reasonably needed for the donation and travel.
Small tokens, refreshments and reimbursement of the direct travel costs are
compatible with voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation.
Low rates of voluntary blood donation by the general public have been
attributed to a variety of socioeconomic, medical and attitudinal factors. Lack of
awareness of the need for donation, fear of donating blood related to perceived risk of
contracting human immunodeficiency virus and loss of physical vitality after donation
have been proposed as potential reasons for ethnic and racial disparities in blood
donation.
An analysis of socio-demographic determinants conducted by Nur Zainie Abd
Hamid, Rohaida Basiruddin & Narehan Hassan (2013) surprisingly found that 28.1%
from respondents have a high qualification of master degree and Ph.D, 41.4% have at
least a diploma and 30.5% hold a minimum education background. He remarked that
this is a false believed that people who come from rural areas were uneducated.
8
The descriptive type of cross sectional study conducted by Begum S A, Nihar
S, Saieda F, Reshma A& Golam R (2016) showed that the mean age of the donors
was 28.4 years with a range of 18 to 57 years. The number of female donors was
found to be very few as compared to males. The reason may be due to the fact that a
high turnover of female donor and temporary deferral conditions due to low
hemoglobin values, low weight, and fear of pain. Other factors such as their frequent
menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and lactation may prevent them from donation. From the
demographic data, they also observed that more than half (56.7%) of blood donors’
educational qualification was graduation and above.
Higher donation of blood was found among males (94.6%) than females in a
study conducted by Ali Neamah Hassan Al-Aaragi (2017). He remarked that women
generally tend to donate blood less of men because of the factors like anemia,
prevalent customs, beliefs and lifestyle, multiple pregnancies, etc. He also found that
majority of the participants were from urban areas which may be due to the fact that
people in urban areas have more intentions to donate blood and mostly, the blood
banks were located in urban areas. As regards the occupation, student donors were the
highest participants among blood donors.
2.3 Review on Previous Studies

Review on previous studies is divided into three parts. They are published
articles downloaded from Internet regarding the knowledge about voluntary blood
donation followed by attitude and practice, and reasons and motivations towards
voluntary blood donation. It is useful to examine each elements of the study during
analysis.
2.3.1 Knowledge about Blood Donation

Generally, in developing countries, donors tended to be more interested in the
knowledge about specific donation criteria like age, weight, time between donations
and donor screening tests than non donors. In developed countries there are also still
some problems on the ignorance of the conditions and criteria applying to the blood
donation. Most people had little knowledge about blood donation and lack of
knowledge about the social benefits from blood donation.
Uma S, Arun R & Arumugam P (2013) studied Knowledge, Attitude and
Practice towards Blood Donation among Voluntary Blood Donors in Chennai. They
9
found that 50% of respondents knew the donation period of a regular donor and
79.4% donors knew that minimum age eligible for blood donation. There was a lack
of knowledge among blood donors with regard to the mandatory tests which were
done after the blood collection, the amount of blood which was donated, minimum
hemoglobin level for blood donation and whether people could get infected by
receiving blood. That means, to create awareness, a clear simple and constant
message must be delivered by using health education materials to the target groups.
. The finding of M H Mamabolo (2012) regarding information about the blood
donation matters was that the respondents involved in his study displayed a fair
knowledge. But the majority of respondents (81%) understood what blood donation is
all about and (85%) also acknowledged that blood donation is very important in
saving lives. This was a positive and promising response.
The knowledge about blood donation has also been stated in a research paper
conducted by Abderrahman B H and Mohammad Y N Saleh (2014). They found that
Jordanian blood donors had inadequate knowledge about blood donation. Authors
believed that these findings showed that the need for educational program and blood
donation campaigns specific to blood donation. By doing so, there could encourage
and motivate Jordanian population to donate blood and establish safe blood supply
based on voluntary unpaid regular blood donors.
Begum S A et al. (2016) studied the Awareness about Blood Donation among
Donors at a Specialized Tertiary Level Public Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They
found that more than half of the participants had knowledge about the eligibility
criteria of blood donation including age limit to start blood donation, interval between
each donation. But there was a lack of knowledge in donors, almost half (47.3%) did
not know the volume of donated blood, more than half (57.3%) did not know the
required Hb level to donate blood. That means, to develop awareness, a clear simple
and constant message must provide by using health education materials to the target
groups.
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2.3.2 Attitude and Practice towards Blood Donation
A cross sectional study conducted by Uma S. et al. (2013) in Chennai, India
on voluntary blood donation showed that among a total of 530 voluntary blood
donors, 57% donors felt that creating an opportunity for the donation was one of the
important factors to motivate blood donors. 55% donors, fear of pain was the main
reason for the hesitation of the donors in donating blood. According to the practice of
the donors, 47.8% donors who were willing to become regular donors and they were
ready to donate blood once in a year. More than half of the donors had a feeling of
satisfaction after the blood donation and also had a good perception that blood
donation would not harm their body. Vast majority of the donors emphasized that
voluntary donation was the best option. Generally, half of the donors opined that the
main reason for the hesitation in donating blood was the fear of pain. 74.7% of the
donors felt great satisfaction after the donation and just 3.4% showed negative effects
like dizziness and tiredness.
A study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Blood Donors toward Blood
Donation in India conducted by Karobi Das, Geetanjali, Suchet S, Baljeet K, Charan I
S & Daiamonlang N (2014) revealed that 90% of donors showed their positive
opinion that blood donation saves life and it is a good moral activity. A total of 42
(70%) of the donors strongly believed that every person should always disclose
correct information about his/ her health in a screen test before donating blood.
Donors in their study had different opinions on blood donation that 25% believed that
the best way to donate blood is at the request of relatives while 76.6% were strongly
against it and 16.7% had a negative opinion that the best way to donate blood is paid
donation. Regarding the practice of blood donation, majority (75%) of the donors had
1 to 5 blood donated times and 5% had more than 25 times. Nearly half (46.7%) of
donors donated blood only when they were asked to donate. Generally, their study
revealed that 86% participants had a positive attitude toward blood donation.
Begum S A et al. (2016) found in their study that more than half (56.0%) of
the donors had ever donated and (86.9%) were willing to become regular donor.
Regarding the impact of blood donation, 68.6% of donors had a positive feeling of
satisfaction after blood donation, 31.2% showed negative effects like tiredness/
fatigue, fear and pain. More than half (56.0%) had past history of blood donation and
majority of donors (86.9%) were willing to become regular donor. With regards to the
impact of the blood donation, 68.6 % of the donors showed positive effects like a
11
feeling of satisfaction after the donation, 31.2 % of the donors showed negative
effects like tiredness/ fatigue, fear. On the positive side, a majority of the donors was
willing to be regular donors. That means, most of the donors were aware about the
blood donation and they had a good attitude towards it.
Positive attitude towards blood donation was observed among (82%) of
respondents in a study conducted by Ali Neamah Hasan Al-Aaragi (2017). Most of
the respondents disclosed that the best way to increase blood donors is delivering the
information regarding blood donation through blood campaigns, newspapers and
books, friends and relatives. Vast majority of the donors (85.9%) agreed with the
screening test before donation and the fact that blood donation is good for health.
These donors felt that blood donation is a noble act. But few donors (14.1%) believed
that blood donation is harmful to the donor. That means, decreasing the perception
that the blood donation is harmful can lead to an increase in the pool of blood donors.
In his study, majority of the donors (86.3%) had donated in the previous year; few
donors (13.6%) had not donated blood in the past. There may be many reasons for the
former type including donors’ understanding about the important of blood donation,
their belief in the benefits of blood donation and their willingness to help other
people.
Umakant G S, Subitha L, Suman S & Gautam R (2015) studied Knowledge
and Attitude Regarding Blood Donation in Rural Puducherry, India and found that
(77%) of donors, with positive attitude, would donate in future if somebody asked to
do it or if there was emergency case. It showed that an emergency condition could be
one of the motivating factors to a person to be a voluntary blood donor. That reason
should be taken into consideration in donor recruitment programs. They reported that
although the participants had good knowledge of blood donation, just a few donors
had donated in past. Education level was one of the important factors that determines
awareness and attitude of the people and practice of the donors. Authors remarked
that health education and motivation on blood donation through various media in rural
areas is essential.
12
2.3.3 Reasons and Motivation to Voluntary Blood Donation
There are many factors that influence motivation and reasons towards
voluntary blood donation. Khurram A F, Kaleem A, M Ahmad Tauqur, Anam Khan
& Sidra Mehboob (2008) conducted an Investigation of Influencing Factors of Blood
Donation Motivation, Blood Donors: a survey-based questionnaire study. They
explained that, to motivate people towards voluntary blood donation, as a first factor,
blood bank’s collection campaigns and advertisement play an important role. The
second factor is the donors’ heartfelt sympathy to the patients. The third factor, a
support of second factor, is a positive emotional attachment or altruism to help others.
Another finding in their study was that 83% of donors were from the youth segment
(less than 30 years). That may be due to the fact that such donors are young and
energetic and feel fit and healthy to donate blood. Their education also a creating
factor to get awareness for them to donate blood and the young persons are attracted
by the emotional collection campaigns conducted by the blood banks. Another
interesting finding was that people more than forty years are found to be hesitant and
reluctant to donate blood and they fear ole age diseases and weaknesses.
Another study conducted by Ali Neamah Hasan Al-Aaragi (2017) found that
majority of the donors (77.9%) donated blood as a religious or humanitarian duty.
(13.6%) donated blood for family members or friends (replacement donors) and
(8.5%) donors good for health. That showed that the reason of donating blood for
religious or humanitarian duty largely influenced on donors and other reason of
donating blood voluntarily was a low priority. The main motivating factor that
mobilizes prospective donors was their awareness of the patients’ need which is
connected to their presumption that they may also need blood in future for themselves
or their families or relatives.
It was found in a study on (KAP) regarding voluntary non-remunerated blood
donation (VNRBD) among the students of colleges of Jammu, India conducted by
Sonam Kumari & Tilak R. Raina (2015) that social causes were the major
motivational factors for blood donation. Altruism, doing good to others, sense of
social responsibility and for helping friends or relatives was the major reasons for
blood donation. But for non donors including students, the factors like fear of needle,
sight of blood, fear of ill effects, fear of being rejected, objection from elder and never
been asked for blood donation were reason for not donating blood. Those findings
showed that sufficient steps should be taken into consideration to create opportunities
13
for them to donate blood and parents in human society should not have wrong concept
that blood donation causes weakness that discourages their children’s attitude towards
blood donation. Pleasant or unpleasant experience of blood donation for a first time
donor is an important factor in future to return back to be a regular donor or not to
return for repeat blood donation. Authors expressed that in their study, 92.38% of
donors had pleasant experience of blood donation while 7.61% felt if unpleasant.
According to the WHO (2017) report, demographic information about blood
donors is important for formulating and monitoring donor recruitment strategies to
meet blood requirements. This may include the strategies to address the barriers to
blood donation that specific populations may face. Low levels of knowledge and
practice were observed in a number of published studies across the developing world.
Globally, it has been found that 80% of first time donors every year give up the
practice of blood donation.
14
CHAPTER III
OVERVIEW OF THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
IN MYANMAR
The quality status of transfusion service in Myanmar has not developed yet
and has struggled with improving the blood transfusion services in resource-limited
setting. Adequate and safe blood supply has remained a challenge in developing
countries including Myanmar. Taking into account the big demand for safe blood and
blood products across the nation and understanding the role of blood centers in the
improvement of blood transfusion services, this chapter offers the overview of the
blood transfusion service in Myanmar including background and current status of
BTS in Myanmar, role of MRCS, Yangon National Blood Bank (NBC) and blood
transfusion services and criteria for blood donor acceptance to ensure safe blood for
both donors and recipients.
3.1 Blood Transfusion Service in Myanmar

Blood transfusion is a procedure whereby blood or its specific components,
whether they are red cell, white cells, plasma or clotting factors, are infused into the
vascular system for replacement of loss from the body. The blood transfusion service,
or in simple terms, the blood bank is a place where blood is collected, stored,
processed and issued whenever there is need for it.
Blood transfusion was initiated at Yangon General Hospital in 1899. Nearly
40 years later, blood transfusion services were started with paid blood donation
program at YGH. In the year 1945, the blood bank facility, now it is known as
National Blood Center (NBC), was set up and carried out broad services on blood
transfusion. In 1962, a central national blood bank committee was established and
made plans for voluntary blood donation program with the support of Myanmar Red
Cross Society (MRCS) which has nationwide network of volunteers as blood donors.
15
Every day, millions of people in the country require blood transfusion (Thida Aung,
2009).
A national coordinated blood transfusion service is managed by government
and National Blood Center is responsible for development of the BTS in the country.
Blood and blood product law was enacted in 2003 for implementing regulatory
mechanism in the country. The National Blood Policy is in the stage of finalization
and subsequent implementation. NBC distributes blood components only in the
capital Yangon and more than 20,000 blood units are distributed per year. NBC in
cooperation with MRCS has carried out health education training programme
regarding voluntary donation, donor deferral and risk behavior within all universities
and social groups using various methods with public video spots, pamphlets, posters
and formal training. As per the WHO report of 2017, 100% blood units are tested for
HIV and syphilis infections (Choudhury N, 2011).
3.2 Role of Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS)

Since Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) was established in 1920 and
initiated blood donation activities in 1961, its commitment to Voluntary Non-
remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) is one of the important role to various
programs including donor motivation, recruitment and retention coordination of
voluntary blood donors. The objective of MRCS has been to improve the amount of
safe blood available through increased recruitment and retention of voluntary non-
remunerated blood donors in coordination and collaboration with NBC (Thida Aung,
2009).
As one of the major activities, MRCS has been creating public awareness
programme by meeting with local administrative authorities and communities, usually
at the states/divisional level and branches, and disseminating on the value of volunteer
blood donors. Efforts are made to explain the importance of safe blood supply and to
promote healthy lifestyle among general public. Also, about the risk factors and the
transmission of transfusion-transmissible infections are explained. These type of
meetings help identify the low-risk groups as potential blood donors.
. The Myanmar Red Cross Society has an ongoing partnership with the National
Blood Center in Yangon including training of volunteers as trainers in voluntary non-
remunerated blood donor recruitment, organizing mass blood donations in townships
in Yangon division and universities, and by hosting regional voluntary blood donor
16
recruitment workshop. Blood donor day was celebrated by MRCS with a programme
recognizing the outstanding individual volunteer blood donors and voluntary blood
donor associations. Effect of continuous efforts of MRCS and NBC toward promotion
of VNRBD is very supportive. Figure (3.1) shows volunteer/ replacement pattern of
blood donation changing year-by-year because of community education.
Figure (3.1) Volunteer/Replacement Pattern of blood donation from 1999 to 2006
Source: Thida Aung (2009)

It was clearly found that in Figure (3.1), the blood donation relying on
replacement donors were significantly decreased and at the same time voluntary blood
donation rate was increased year by year.
3.3 National Blood Center (NBC) and Blood Transfusion Services (BTS)
Blood services in Myanmar have been mainly provided by NBC since 1945.
Blood bank and transfusion services include collection, processing, storage and
provide human blood intended for transfusion. NBC has been the one who took the
lead and initiative in developing blood banking services in the country, blood
transfusion services in Myanmar are still relying upon family and replacement donors.
There are two national blood banks in Myanmar; one at Yangon General
Hospital and the other at Mandalay General Hospital, There is a nationwide network
of 359 hospital-based banks with a demand of 200,000 units of blood. Yangon
17
National Blood Center provides safe blood and blood products to 11 government
hospitals in Yangon. Along with the increasing usage of blood units by hospitals, the
quality status of blood and blood products is a challenge for NBC. In terms of blood
component preparation, fresh frozen plasma (FFp), packed red cells (PRC),
cryoprecipitate, and platelet rich plasma (PRP) became available in the NBC. Usage
of component blood has been gradually increasing in line with the improvement of
health service (Thida Aung, Htein Win & Thida Htoon, 2016).
According to the WHO regional figures, in South East Asia there are around 2
million units of blood missing each year out of the 18 million units required. WHO
calls on all countries to achieve 100% voluntary, unpaid donations by 2020 to satisfy
national blood requirements and ensuring that this life-saving resource can be readily
available at all levels of the health system. In Myanmar, there are many voluntary
organizations that assist in donor recruitment and blood donation. Voluntary blood
donations have grown noticeably and considerably from 35% in 2003 to 98% in 2016
at National Blood Center, Yangon. This is a satisfactory recruitment of voluntary
donors, very close to the objective of 100% by 2020 but in nationwide, voluntary
blood donation is 75%.
Blood transfusion service has been considered to be an integral part of the
health care system in every country. National Blood Center tried to collaborate with
the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), which had access to blood transfusion
service of neighboring countries and local universities. In addition to the collaboration
with local and international agencies for technical issues and fund raising, training for
healthcare staffs has involved in blood transfusion service became essential.
In 1995, the transfusion services were integrated into hospital pathology
laboratories where ABO typing and cross-matching of replacement blood donors were
performed. In order to get overall safe and success of blood transfusion, the guidelines
for handling and usage of blood and blood components was published in 2011 and
revised again in 2015 with the participation of national and international experts of
blood transfusion services. This guideline is very helpful to solve the problems in
making decision and taking relevant responsibility of blood transfusion therapy and
get rid of danger of transfusion as much as possible (NBC Report, 2015).
NBC in Yangon has won the International Society of Blood Transfusion
(ISBT) award for developing countries 2014 for the development and improvement of
the Blood Transfusion Service in Myanmar. The ISBT Award for Developing
18
Country can be conferred only on an outstanding institute or individual related to
blood services in a developing country. The Award is to witness an institute/
individual, who has made significant contributions to strengthening of blood
transfusion practices within his/her country and has played an important role in
improving of blood transfusions regionally and globally. There are many voluntary
organizations assisting in donor recruitment and blood donations across Myanmar.
According to discussion with Officer-in-Charge of NBC during study period,
the total number of blood donations continuously increased from 23, 002 in 2000 to
43, 859 in 2013 and 45, 742 in 2014. Voluntary blood donations were also increased
from 8, 035 (34.9%) in 2000 to 38, 814 (88.5%) in 2013 and 40, 480 (92.3%) in 2014
as shown in Figure (3.2). The daily demand in Yangon NBC is between 150 and 200
blood units. However, the number of blood donators declines during the hot season.
Progress is being made through an improved screening system and a more reliable
network of donors, monks and laypeople alike. The Myanmar blood bank reduced the
transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis through blood transfusions by 80
percent over the past 10 years and earned an award from the International Blood
Transfusion Society in June. NBC received one-third of its daily blood donation target
last fiscal year and could not meet patient demand.
Figure (3.2) Number of Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donations in 7 Blood

Banks from 2010 to 2015
19
3.3.1 Encouragement to be Voluntary Blood Donor
Every year, millions of people rely on the generosity of another person to
donate blood. Yet, blood donation rates vary considerably and the demands for
blood and blood products are increasing worldwide. To meet these needs, more
people must come forward to give blood voluntarily, and regularly, says the WHO
on World Blood Donor Day.
The factors that influence an individual's decision to give blood is a collection
of an individual's specific observable characteristics such as socio-demographic
factors and unobservable characteristics such as the degree of altruism. It is
noteworthy that not all persons who have once donated their blood become repeat
donors. Thus it is really crucial to focus donor recruitment strategies on the
transformation of the first timers' into the repeat ones as well as the retention of the
latter.
To promote non-remunerated donation, it is essential to build a positive image
of the donor in the public and further develop donation as an act of charity. Thus good
public relation is a crucial promotional means in blood donor recruitment and
retention management. Community participation and involvement in blood donation
could also be encouraged by paying public honor to the most active donors and
charity events. Another possibility would be to employ mass media in providing
information on blood donation and its positive effect on human health as well as the
national supplies of blood and its components at national blood collecting centers.
Retention of donors is also largely dependent on donor satisfaction with blood
collection services. So it is vital to help them feel at home at blood centers. Another
crucial aspect is making donors feel that their blood donations are useful for the
community and appreciated by it.
In order to get safe and sustainable blood from voluntary blood donors, the
NBC encourage faith groups and private and public sectors to contribute to the blood
safety program and has supported the formulation of blood donor group with a
motivation program. At the same time, NBC appreciate and gave certificates of
honors to honorable voluntary unpaid repeat donors who donate 40 times and above
in order to encourage first time donors to become regular donors and persuade
individuals to be voluntary non-remunerated regular donors.
Every year on 14th June, countries around the world including Myanmar
celebrate Blood Donor Day not only to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and
20
blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary life-saving gifts of blood
but also to motivate people for voluntary blood donation. Mass blood donation on this
day is done with a reminder letter for the blood recruiters and Red Cross volunteers.
Awards and recognition badges and appreciation certificates are presented.
Transportation charges were given to mass blood donation group and NBC supplied
with refreshments and iron supplements.
The National Blood Donor day is also celebrated in a similar manner in the
month of December every year. On that day the outstanding blood donors were
awarded certificates of honor. On 14th December 2017, 41th National Blood Donor
day was held at National Blood Center, Yangon. 466 honorable blood donors attended
the ceremony. 31 monks of repeated blood donors, 87 donors who had donated more
than 100 times, 379 donors who had donated up to 100 times were given certificates
of honor (NBC Report, 2015).
3.3.2 Blood Donor Deferral

Although the need for blood transfusion may arise at any time in both urban
and rural areas around the world, there are non-donors who are in good health and
eligible for blood donation in many countries, the hospitals unnecessarily rely on the
replacement and paid donors so that many countries face the challenges of blood
shortage that could not fulfill the increase demand of blood in time.
Recruitment, selection, and retention of voluntary non-remunerated donors
from low-risk populations are the cornerstones of a safe, sustainable, and adequate
national blood supply. At the same time the donor screening process is very critical to
protect the safety of the blood supply. Screening, however, can lead to either
temporary or permanent deferral, resulting in lower donation rates that could further
limit the donor pool (Ngoma A M, Goto A, Kenneth E Nollet, Sawamura Y, Ohto H
& Yasumura S, 2014).
In particular, in developing countries, where nutritional imbalance and higher
risk of transfusion transmitted infections among the general public highlight the need
for donor deferral for ensuring the safety of blood transfusion services. In Myanmar,
blood donor deferral was more prevalent among females and first-time donors. Low
Hb level and hypertension were the major causes for deferral of female donors and
male donors aged more than 30 years, respectively. Iron supplements and health
education providing information about Hb are given to donors with low Hb. Donors
21
with high blood pressure are expected to have an opportunity to obtain medical are at
the asymptomatic stage before complication occur (New New Oo, Thaw Zin Aung,
Nozaki I & Thida Aung, 2014).
The data shown in Tables (3.1) were analyzed from all volunteers who were
deferred from donating blood in NBC, Yangon, by Nwe Nwe Oo, Wada K, Ikuma N,
Thaw Zin Aung, Yoshihara N & Thida Aung (2014) from the beginning of January
2014 to February 27, 2014. Deferred donors were categorized by age and gender, and
the proportion of deferrals was calculated for these categories. Volunteers are
measured body weight, hemoglobin (Hb) level, and blood pressure to assess the
eligibility of blood donors at the site. Low Hb level was defined as <12.0 g/dl in
males and <11.5 g/dl in females. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure
>150 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg, and hypotension, as systolic
blood pressure <100 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <60 mmHg. Low body weight
was defined as <49.8 Kg for males and <45.3 Kg for females. It also required all
donors to fill a questionnaire declaring their current health status and high-risk
behaviors for transfusion-transmitted diseases such as HIV and HBV, to assess blood
donor safety.
Table (3.1) Proportion of Reasons of Deferral
Deferred cases (%)
Reasons
Male Female
Low Hb Level
First-time 24 (1.9) 193(14.1)
More than twice 63(2.0) 190(10.3)
Hypertension
First-time 34(2.7) 19(1.4)
More than twice 140(4.5) 43(2.3)
Hypotension
First-time 34(2.7) 58(4.2)
Low Body weight
First-time 119(9.3) 190(13.9)
Source: Nwe Nwe Oo. et al. (2014)
22
According to the data in Table (3.1), donor selection or deferral system plays
an important role in the practice of blood transfusion not only for safety but also for
health of donor. Among females, low Hb level was the major cause of donor deferral
for both first-time donor (14.1%) and those donating more than twice (10.3%).
Among first-time donor, low body weight was prevalent among both men (9.3%) and
women (13.9%). For men, hypertension was prevalent for aged over 30 years old.
Few persons were deferred because of high risk behavior.
3.4 Criteria for Blood Donor Selection

Blood transfusion services have a process of donor selection based on criteria
of subjecting donors to a questionnaire, physical examination, and hemoglobin testing
before blood donation, and only those who meet the requirements qualify as blood
donors. Blood donor suitability criteria are based on science, informed medical
opinion and regulatory rules designed to protect both the blood donors and blood
recipients from harm. The criteria are also important for blood safety (microbiological
safety of the blood), and there is a need to defer blood donors to protect the recipients
from getting transfusion-transmitted infections. The process of donor selection before
the donation is an important, effective, and economical tool for ensuring blood safety.
Virtually all living humans are potential candidates for blood donation.
However, it is practically not possible to extract blood from every human being since
it would be inappropriate and unethical to just let blood be transfused and turn a blind
eye to its potential hazards. Patients must be protected from harm in the process.
Thus, list of potential candidate presented to the transfusion service must be carefully
filtered down through in order to achieve a clean healthy blood pool fit for
transfusion. According to the Guideline for BTS (2011), the following routine must be
exactly followed to achieve that goal.
A selection of donors from a compiled list of candidates must be assessed to
approve fitness for donation. This is a job of the medical officers. The process will
include the following components.
(1) History
(2) Physical examination
(3) Laboratory investigations
23
(1) History
Taking a background medial history is important since it would be prior to
actual donation. Standardized and revised set of questionnaires are available to be
filled out by the candidates. It consists of certain rules on conditions leading to
permanent deferral, conditions leading to temporary deferral (suspension),
Immunization; conditions require individual assessment, Infection, Malaria and drugs.
(2) Physical Examination

Before going through the blood donation process, particulars of the potential
donors must be checked out as a physical examination as follows:
Age - The donor shall be in the age group of 18 to 60 years. Between 17 and 18,
consent of parents or guardian must be taken before blood donation. Elderly donors
over 60 years of age, fitness for donation will be decided by the physician.
Body weight - Individuals are weighed before going through selection process. For
both male and female donors, minimum acceptable body weights are 100 lb for 350
ml and 110 lb for 450 ml blood collection.
Blood pressure - This is assessed by medical officers. Variations between 180/100

mmHg and 100/60 mmHg can be accepted.
(3) Laboratory investigations

Minimum limit of Hemoglobin concentration for male donors shall be 12 G/L
and minimum limit of Hemoglobin concentration for female donors shall be 11.5 G/L.
Time Taken in Donation - It should take 15 to 30 minutes including the time for rest
in chair and then take one glass of liquid with some light food. After donation up to 3
hrs it is better not to smoke, consume alcohol and to take other drugs. After donation
liquid part will be replaced within an hour and others will slowly replaced within a
few days. It is not necessary to have any special diet after blood donation.
As in general condition, persons who are searched for and filtered out weaker
in his/her body or mind by medical officer cannot donate blood. Healthy persons
without any problems with liver, lungs, heart and without diseases like jaundice,
malaria, typhoid, HIV/AIDS and not using medicines can donate blood. There should
be 4 months gap from previous blood donation. Persons with diseases like TB,
24
venereal disease, diabetes, asthma, high BP, kidney disease, heart disease, jaundice,
malaria, typhoid, AIDS, using medicines and drug addicts and alcohol along with
women in menstruation, breast feeding mother and pregnant women cannot donate
blood.
25
CHAPTER IV
SURVEY ANALYSIS
This study is the first conducted in Myanmar to determine the factors that
affect voluntary blood donation among the general public who came to NBC to
donate blood. It takes into account the knowledge, attitude, practice and perspectives
of the donors and deferrals that were temporally deferred from donating blood in
order for ensuring the safety of blood transfusion. This study was able to explore the
survey analysis about knowledge, attitudes, practice and associated factors towards
voluntary blood donation and the cross-sectional survey was conducted among people
who came to NBC to donate blood voluntarily. Before presenting survey results, the
profile and design of the survey were described below.
4.1 Survey Profile

National Blood Center (NBC) is the biggest blood transfusion unit in the
country and is situated in downtown Yangon. The location is No. (97), Corner of
BogyokeAungSan Road and ShweDagon Pagoda Road, Latha Township. It is the
main provider of safe blood and blood products to government hospitals in Yangon
city.
NBC has established in 2003, for promoting the nationally coordinated blood
transfusion service, based on the Blood and Blood Product Law. NBC has three major
roles as the central blood center; (1) to establish the service model and set up the
national standard of blood transfusion service which is feasible and affordable in the
country’s situation, (2) to supply safe blood products to hospitals in Yangon about
90% of their needs, (3) to train and support the BTUs in the countries to meet the
national standard of the blood transfusion services (NBC Report, 2015)
As of end of 2014, NBC has been providing the blood products for 11
hospitals in Yangon city, namely YGH, NYGH, Mingaladon Specialist Hospital,
Thaketa Specialist Hospital, Yangon Orthopaedic Hospital, Workers’ Hospital, Wai
Ba Gi Infectious Disease Hospital, Ear Nose Throat Specialist Hospital, Thin Gyan
26
Kyun Hospital, 550 Bedded Yangon Specialist Hospital and ZiWiTADaNaSanga
Hospita. Before 2002, whole blood pack cells and Platelet rich plasma were prepared
by blood bank. After 2004, fresh frozen plasma, cryo precipitates and single donor
platelet become available for patients. Since 2012, Leucocyte depleted product has
been produced (NBC Report, 2015).
NBC in cooperation with MRCS has carried out health education training
programme regarding voluntary donation, donor deferral and risk behavior within all
universities and social groups using various methods with public video spots,
pamphlets, posters and formal training. These activities were very effective to
disseminate the concept of blood donation among youth, business groups and social
and religious associations. NBC has focused on safe blood transfusion service by
screening the donors and at the same time it has introduced motivation and retention
programme for safer donors in order to promote the voluntary blood donation.
4.2 Survey Design

The survey was conducted for 2 weeks during December 2017. A total of 385
respondents were available during the study period. An exit interview of the
participants including donors and non-donors was conducted at the rest room of NBC
using a well structured validated questionnaire (Appendix). The draft questionnaire
was based on the WHO standard questionnaire (WHO, 2009) and other literature
review about blood donation and then modified slightly in line with the context
according to Blood Donor Guideline of Myanmar through the consultation with the
NBC Officer-in-Charge. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into
Myanmar.
Questionnaire consists of four sections; socio-demographic data, knowledge,
attitude and practice, and reasons and motivation towards voluntary blood donation.
The study variables included age, sex, religion, residence, marital status, education,
occupation, knowledge, attitude, practice, reasons and some motivational factors.
Regarding their residence, townships under Yangon City Development Committee
(YCDC) were considered as urban area and the rest were rural area. Knowledge on
blood donation was assessed through questions covering benefits, requirements and
restrictions of blood donation. The attitude for blood donation was assessed through
ten questions with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ options. A scoring mechanism was used to
understand overall knowledge level; a score of one has given for each correct
27
response and zero for wrong response. Blood donation practice was assessed through
six questions addressing the nature of donation, frequency of donation, reasons for not
donating blood etc.
The statements on motives were primarily based on the volunteer functions
inventory (VFI), elaborated by Misjeet.et al (A H Misjee, V Bosnes, O Gasdal & H E
Heier, 2005). The VFI was designed with the dual purpose of providing researchers
with a useful measurement of volunteerism and helping the administrators of
voluntary organizations to manage human resources. Although the original inventory
measures six primary factors that serve as motives for individuals to volunteer, only
five VFI factors of motivation such as value, social, esteem and understanding were
included in the questionnaire of this study. Value motives refer to altruistic and
empathic reasons for volunteering (helping others, compassion). Social reasons reflect
the normative influence of friends, family, or a social group that motivates people to
volunteer. Esteem represents reasons for volunteering in order to feel better about
oneself (feel better about myself, feel important) by helping others. Understanding
refers to positive experiences associated with volunteering (explore own strengths,
learn from experience). Moral refers to the moral obligation to donate blood.
The exclusion criteria are the incomplete questionnaire result and participant’s
age less than 18 years and more than 60 years. Sample size estimation was done using
the single population proportion formula developed by Cochran (1963) at 95%
confidence interval and prevalence of 50% because the exact proportion of blood
donors is not well known (cited by Isreal Glenn D, 1992).
Z 2 P(1 - P )
n=
d2
where,
n = minimum sample size required
d = absolute precision (5%)
Z = standard normal deviate corresponding to 95% confidence interval (1.96)
P = assumed proportion of the population that donates blood (this is not known hence
it is assumed to be (50%)
28
(1.96) 2 0.5(1 - 0.5)
n=
(0.05) 2
Therefore, n = 385
4.3 Survey Findings
The survey findings of the study are based on the structured questionnaire and
these contain some basic quantitative data accompanied by tables and figures. In this
section, demo-graphic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice, and reasons
and motivational factors for voluntary blood donation and for not donating blood
regularly as well as the respondents’ opinion on the blood bank to encourage more
people to be blood donors were presented.
4.3.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Out of the total 385 study respondents participated in the survey,
questionnaires from all respondents were considered for analysis making the response
rate 100%.
29
Table (4.1) represents the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.
Table (4.1) Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents
Variable n %
Sex
Female 190 49
Male 195 51
Total 385 100.0
Age (Years)
18-25 176 45.7
26-35 123 31.9
36-45 53 13.8
45-60 33 8.6
Marital Status
Married 94 24.4
Unmarried 291 75.6
Education
Matric 92 23.9
Diploma 25 6.5
Graduate 190 49.3
Post Grad 30 7.8
Others 48 12.5
Occupation
Civil Employee 56 14.6
Self Employed 39 10.0
Company 175 45.5
Student 56 14.6
Others 59 15.3
Respondent Type
1st time Donor 106 27.6
Repeat Donor 235 61.0
Non-donor 44 11.4
Source: Survey Data (2017)
30
In the above table, out of total participants, female respondents were 190
(49.0%) and male respondents were 195 (51.0%). Of the total 385 respondents, the
highest percentage were youths 176 (45.7%) with their age ranges from 18 to 25 years
followed by nearly (32.0%) of the respondents who belonged to the age group of (26-
35) years. About (14%) respondents felled into the age group (36- 45) years. There
also had (8.6%) adult donors who belonged to the age group of (46-60) years. Just
over one-third (75.6%) of the respondents were unmarried and the rest one-fourth
were married. According to Table (4.1), bachelor educations were found in the
highest percentage (49.3%) followed by (23.9%) respondents who had passed matric.
(7.8%) respondents were postgraduates and (6.5%) of the respondents got diploma.
Others (12.5%) included some monks, nuns and mostly school-age young persons
who had not passed matric. As shown in Table, assessment of occupations revealed
that a higher proportion of the respondents (45.5%) were company employees. A fair
number of civil employees and students each with a proportion (14.6%) were also
found in the participants. Others (15.3%) included monks, a few number of nuns,
housewives, and people who are currently not employed. According to the respondent
type, population of repeat donors (61.0%) is highest followed by first-time donors
(27.6%) and then non-donors is (11.4%).
31
Table (4.2) shows the frequency of religion, ethnicity and the distribution of
residential areas for participants by gender.
Table (4.2) Religion, Ethnicity and the Distribution of Residential Areas
Variables n (%)
Buddhist 372(96.6)
Christian 8(2.1)
Religion Islam 2(0.5)
Hindu 2(0.5)
N/A 1(0.3)
Burma 331(86)
Rakkhine 15(4)
Chin 3(0.8)
Mon 4(1.0)
Shan 4(1.0)
Ethnicity Kayin 12(3.1)
Htawae 1(0.3)
Gawrakha 1(0.3)
Hindu 3(0.8)
Muslim 2(0.5)
Chinese 9(2.3)
Within area 315(81.8)
Resident
Out of area 37(9.6)
According to Table (4.2), majority of the participants (96.6%; 372) were noted
to be Buddhist. Christians comprised of 2%, Islam 0.5% and Hindu 0.5%. Majority of
the participants were Burma (86%) followed by Rakkhine (4%). The residential area
of Yangon was divided into two regions such as within the municipal area and out of
the municipal area. The majority (81.8%) of the respondents lived within the areas,
while 9.6% lived in out of the areas.
32
4.3.2 Operational Definitions and Measurement of Variables
Level of knowledge: This is the understanding level of respondents on benefits, risks,

and eligibility criteria’s of blood donation. Knowledge about blood donation was
assessed using a number of general questions which are deemed to be known by
general population like about blood donation and blood group, source of information
for blood donation, source of blood supply, about the voluntary blood donation,
diseases which can be acquired by blood transfusion and 20 questions of donor’s
eligibility for blood donation. Based on total score, knowledge level on voluntary
blood donation was categorized into adequate knowledge and inadequate knowledge.
Those who answered 50th percentile and above classified as adequate knowledge and
those whose score are less than 50th percentile ware inadequate knowledge.
Attitude: Attitude is intention of participants towards blood donation practice and is
measured through ten questions with ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ items; comprises of questions on
respondent’s attitude towards publicizing the importance of blood donation and
willingness to donate blood, attitude towards donation needs incentives,
misconception that donation leads harm, result weakness and anemia etc. Those who
answered 50% and above was labeled as having favorable attitude and those who
answered less than median was labeled as having unfavorable attitude.
Practice: This denotes whether a particular participant has experienced blood
donation or not, the reason and frequency of blood donation for those who donate
blood. The practice was assessed by asking about history of previous donation and the
frequency of donation among donors.
Altruism: In this case study participants who donate or will donate blood to benefit
another without anticipation of rewards from external sources.
Social Responsibility: In this context the participants has an obligation/duty to
act/donate blood as their responsibility for benefit of others.
33
4.3.3 Knowledge about Voluntary Blood Donation
Knowledge about voluntary blood donation is the assessing of the
understanding level of respondents on benefits, risks, and eligibility criteria’s of blood
donation. Knowledge about blood donation was assessed using a number of general
questions which are deemed to be known by general population like about blood
donation and blood group, source of information for blood donation, source of blood
supply, about the voluntary blood donation, diseases which can be acquired by blood
transfusion and 20 questions of donor’s eligibility for blood donation.
Amongst the study participants, nearly all (95.8%) of the respondents
expressed that they had heard about blood donation and (72.0%) knew about the
blood group. (91.7%) of the participants were aware about that human blood cannot
be manufactured artificially till now.
The sources of information about blood donation among participants varied as
indicated in Figure (4.1).
Figure (4.1) Source of Information for Blood Donation
From blood donors

42.60%
From family/friend
58.96%
Mass media
47.27%
Received blood donation

6.64%

As shown in Figure (4.1), the single most important recruitment channel was
the influence of relatives. In total (59.0%) of all respondents reported that they got
information about blood donation from their family and friends. The second main
recruitment channel was media advertising. In total (47.3%) of respondents indicated
that they had been recruited via advertisements in newspapers, magazines, leaflets,
posters, TV or radio. It was noted that (42.6%) started donating on the
recommendation of blood donors.
34
The knowledge of participants about source of blood supply is displayed in
Table (4.3).
Table (4.3) Knowledge on Source of Blood Supply

Descriptions n (%)
Voluntary blood donor 219 (56.9)
Family donors 148 (38.4)
Sources for blood supply Paid donors 33 (8.6)
From blood bank 294 (76.4)
Don’t know 16 (4.2)
As shown in Table (4.3), majority 294 (76.4 %) and 219 (56.9%) of the
respondents revealed that safe blood could only be received from blood bank and
voluntary blood donors, respectively. However, 148 (38.4%) thought that their family
and friends were the best source of blood supply. This response reflects a situation in
which blood is received largely from relatives in need on replacement basis and
implies that donation for any other reason (altruism) is a low priority. Only (8.6%)
reported that blood could be received from paid donors.
Table (4.4) shows the knowledge of study participants about donor eligibility
and blood transfusion. Taking into consideration of 20 knowledge questions, the
cumulative level of knowledge of was assessed.
35
Table (4.4) Knowledge Assessment of Participants
Correct Answers
Questions
n %
Do you know source of blood supply 361 94.5
Age limit 275 71.4

Weight limit 153 39.7
Blood pressure 92 24.0
Amount of blood donated each time 141 36.6
Hemoglobin level to donate 66 17.1
Time taken of actual donation process 138 35.8
Duration of donated red blood cells at 2-40c 29 7.5
Time interval between two donations 252 65.5
Time taken for volume of blood replaced 141 36.6
Regular VD has medical benefit 89 23.1
Can person infected by receiving blood 313 81.3
Can one donate with fever 375 97.4
Person who taking drug for chronic disease 373 96.9
Person with allergy 76 19.7
Smoker can donate 303 78.7
Person with chronic alcoholism 269 69.9
Person with HIV and hepatitis positive 380 98.7
Components separated from a unit of donated blood 98 25.5
Number of live saved from the each unit 90 23.4
In Table (4.4), it was found that (94.5%) of the respondents knew the source
of blood supply. Among the study participants, (71.4%) and (39.7%) of the
respondents expressed that they knew the age and weight limit required for blood
donation respectively. About one-fourth of the participants knew the blood pressure
eligible for blood donation. From the total participants, about one third (36.6%) of the
respondents revealed that the correct volume of blood donated at each donation.
(17.1%) knew about correct hemoglobin level for blood donation. More than thirty
five percent (35.8%) of the respondents knew about the duration of a single donation
36
process. More than half (65.5%) of the participant reported the correct time interval
between two donations. Only (25.5%) of the respondents were aware about the blood
components separated from one unit of donated blood and (23.4%) of the respondents
were aware about the maximum number of lives saved from each unit of donated
blood.
Table (4.5) below summarizes the knowledge regarding diseases which can be
acquired via blood transfusion.
Table (4.5) Diseases which can be acquired via Transfusion

Variables Female n (%) Male n (%) Total n (%)
HIV 145 (50.2) 144 (49.8) 289 (75.0)
HBV 109 (48.2) 117 (51.8) 226 (58.7)
HCV 95 (50.0) 95 (50.0) 190 (49.4)
Syphilis 57 (43.5) 74 (56.5) 131 (34.0)
Malaria 49 (48.0) 53 (52.0) 102 (26.5)
. As shown in Table (4.5), the most common disease identified was HIV by 289
(75.0%) of the respondents, the second common disease was Hepatitis B recognized
by 226 (58.7%). About half 190 (49.4%) of the participants were aware that hepatitis
C virus (HCV) could be transmitted through blood transfusions. Slightly greater than
one-third 131 (34.0%) and about one-fourth 102 (26.5%) of the participants were
aware whether Syphilis and Malaria could be potentially transmitted through blood
transfusions, respectively.
According to the knowledge level of the respondents, each response was
scored as “1” for correct response and “0” for incorrect response. The scoring ranges
were set for donor’s eligibility and safe blood transfusion from 20 (largest) to 0
(smallest). Knowledge scores for individuals were calculated and summed up to give
the total knowledge score. Participants who correctly responded to more than (50%)
of knowledge assessing questions were considered as having adequate knowledge
about blood donation, whereas those who scored <50% were considered as having
inadequate knowledge about blood donation. Figure (4.2) showed that the distribution
of overall level of knowledge about voluntary blood donation among the respondents.
37
Figure (4.2) Distribution of Overall Level of Knowledge
Overall level of Knowledge
41.56%
58.44% Adequate Knowledge
Inadequate Knowledge

It was found that in Figure (4.2), (58.4%) of the participants have scored more
than or equal to 50 % of the correct answers in which they are labeled as having
adequate knowledge. However, the remaining (41.7%) of respondents did not achieve
the 50th percentile of the correct answer and hence they are considered as having
inadequate knowledge.
Table (4.6) showed the knowledge level of blood donation among study
participants related with their socio-demographic characteristics. All the participants
were questioned to assess their knowledge about various aspects of voluntary blood
donation and blood transfusion. In this Table, the sum of responses was summarized
as a knowledge score for age, gender, marital status, education, their occupation, type
of respondents and practice of donation of donors.
38
Table (4.6) Factors Associated with Knowledge Level of Participants
Adequate Inadequate
Variables Category Total n
Knowledge n (%) Knowledge n (%)
18-25 96 (54.6) 80 (45.5) 176
26-35 68 (55.3) 55 (44.7) 123
Age (year)
36-45 37 (70.0) 16 (30.2) 53
46-60 24 (72.7) 9 (27.3) 33
Female 113 (59.5) 77 (40.5) 190
Gender
Male 112 (57.4) 83 (42.6) 195
Married 62 (66.0) 32 (34.0) 94
Marital status
Unmarried 163 (56.0) 128 (44.0) 291
Matric 54 (58.7) 38 (41.3) 92
Diploma 8 (32.0) 17(68.0) 25
Education Graduates 118 (62.1) 72 (37.9) 190
Post graduates 25 (83.3) 5 (16.7) 30
Other 20 (41.7) 28 (58.3) 48
Govt. 33 (58.9) 23 (41.1) 56
Employees
Self-employed 27 (69.2) 12 (30.8) 39
Occupation
Company 100 (57.1) 75 (42.9) 175
Students 32 (57.1) 24 (42.9) 56
Other 33 (55.9) 26 (44.1) 59
1st time donors 58 (54.7) 48 (45.3) 106
Type of
Repeat donors 143 (60.9) 92 (39.2) 235
Respondents
Non-donors 24 (54.6) 20 (45.5) 44
Practice 2-5 time 67 (48.2) 72 (51.8) 139
(repeat 6-10 time 29 (78.4) 8 (21.6) 37
donors) >10 time 47 (79.7) 12 (20.3) 59
Overall level of knowledge 225 (58.4)
As shown in the Table (4.6), majority of respondents had adequate knowledge
regarding various aspect of blood donation (58.4%). There was no significant
difference in gender regarding voluntary blood donation. The knowledge score of
both female and male were nearly the same. However, on the basis of scoring scale, it
39
is found that the oldest age group (46-60) had high adequate knowledge. There is
significant association of level of knowledge of voluntary blood donation with marital
status. According to the findings, the married persons had more adequate knowledge
than unmarried persons. It was also found that higher educational status i.e., post
grads and graduates were significantly associated with adequate knowledge towards
voluntary blood donation. Having appropriate knowledge was also associated with
occupation. Respondents who were self-employed had adequate knowledge about
voluntary blood donation. Level of knowledge was significantly associated with
practice of blood donation. It was found that and the repeat donors who had more
blood donation practice had more adequate knowledge than less practice donors.
4.3.4 Attitude towards Voluntary Blood Donation

Attitude is intention of participants towards blood donation practice and is
measured through ten questions; comprises of questions on respondent’s attitude
towards publicizing the importance of blood donation and willingness to donate
blood, attitude towards donation needs incentives, misconception that donation leads
harm, result weakness and anemia etc.
Table (4.7) shows the attitude of the participants about voluntary blood
donation.
Table (4.7) Attitude of Participants towards Voluntary Blood Donation
Correct Answers
Descriptions
n %
Do you think that donating blood is good habit 376 97.7
Do you think there is a need to give incentives to blood donors 360 93.5
Do you think that voluntary blood donation is best source to make 332 86.2
safe blood
Could harm occur to a blood donor after donation 336 87.3
Should patient’s relatives be asked to donate blood 73 19.0
Do you think donating blood lower donor’s immunity 356 92.5
Does donation makes weak 261 67.8
Could donation leads to anemia 368 95.6
Are you willing to donate in the future 382 99.2
Do you encourage relatives to donate 371 96.4
40
According to Table (4.7), about (97.7%) of the participants thought that
donating blood is a good habit and about (93.5%) thought that there is no need to give
incentives to those who donate blood. Similarly, (86.2%) of individuals responded as
voluntary blood donation is the best source of blood donation. (87.3%) of individual
participant had favorable attitude that blood donation could not harm their body.
Majority (81.0%) of the study participants thought that relatives of patient should be
asked for blood donation. However, although most (92.5%) of the participants did not
think that blood donation lowers the donor’s immunity, over half (67.8%) of the
participants did not think that blood donation makes the donor weak. (95.6%) of the
respondents believed that blood donation could not lead to anemia. Nearly all (99.2%)
of the study participants were willing to donate blood voluntarily in the future and
nearly all (96.4%) of them would like to encourage their relatives to donate blood.
Regarding attitude level of the respondents, the responses of each question
were scored as “1” for correct response and “0” for incorrect response. The attitude
scoring ranges from 10 (largest) to 0 (smallest). Attitude scores for individuals were
calculated and summed up to give the total attitude score. Participants who correctly
responded to more than 50% of attitude assessing questions were considered as
having favorable attitude towards voluntary blood donation, whereas those who
scored ≤50% were considered as having unfavorable attitude towards voluntary blood
donation.
Factors Associated with Attitude Level were expressed in Table (4.8).
According to this table, all (94.6%) of the participants had favorable attitude on
voluntary blood donation. like in factors associated with level of knowledge,
participants’ attitude towards voluntary blood donation was not significantly
associated with gender. Both female and male participants had the same favorable
attitude on voluntary blood donation. However, it is found that the oldest age group
(46-60) had (100.0%) positive attitude on VBD and unmarried respondents had less
favorable attitude than married ones. According to educational status, post-graduate
respondents had more favorable attitude than other respondents. Relation with
occupation, government employee and self-employed respondents had favorable
attitude. Particularly the repeat donors and greater than ten times donors had more
favorable attitude than less time donors.
41
Table (4.8) Factors Associated with Attitude Level
Favorable Unfavorable
Variables Category Total n
attitude n (%) attitude n (%)
18-25 163 (92.6) 13 (3.4) 176
26-35 120 (97.6) 3(2.4) 123
Age
36-45 48 (90.57.0) 5 (9.4) 53
46-60 33 (100.0) nil 33
Female 181 (95.3) 9 (4.7) 190
Sex
Male 183 (93.9) 12 (6.2) 195
Married 94 (100.0) nil 94
Marital status
Unmarried 270 (91.4) 21 (7.2) 291
Matric 88 (95.7) 4 (4.4) 92
Diploma 18 (72.0) 7 (28.0) 25
Education Graduates 183 (96.3) 7 (3.7) 190
Post graduates 29 (96.7) 1 (3.3) 30
Other 46 (95.8) 2 (4.2) 48
Government 53 (94.6) 3 (5.4) 56
employees
Self-employed 36 (92.3) 3(7.7) 39
Occupation
Company 170(97.1) 5(2.9) 175
Students 50 (89.3) 6 (10.7) 56
Other 50 (84.8) 9(15.2) 59
1st time donors 97 (91.5) 9 (8.5) 106
Respondent
Repeated donors 226 (96.2) 9 (3.8) 235
type
Non-donors 41 (93.2) 3 (6.8) 44
2-5 time 131 (94.3) 8 (5.8) 139
Practice 6-10 time 36 (97.3) 1 (2.7) 37
>10 time 59 (100.0) nil 59
Overall Attitude Level 364 (94.6)
42
4.3.5 Practices and Reasons towards Voluntary Blood Donation
This denotes whether a particular participant has experienced blood donation
or not, the reason and frequency of blood donation for those who donate blood. The
practice was assessed by asking about history of previous donation and the frequency
of donation among donors.
The practice of voluntary blood donation among donors was explored in Table (4.9).
Table (4.9) Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Donors
Descriptions n (%)
Ever donated blood
Yes 341 (88.6)
No 44 (11.4)
Total 385 (100.0)
If yes, number of times
Once 106 (31.0)
2-5 139 (40.7)
6-10 37 (11.0)
> 10 59 (17.3)
Total 341 (100.0)
Last time donation
> 1 year 88 (25.8)
= 1 year 68 (20.0)
< 1 year 185 (54.2)
Total 341 (100.0)
Being a regular donor
Yes 213 (62.5)
No 128 (37.5)
Total 341 (100.0)
Reasons for donating blood
Altruism 293 (76.0)
Sense of social responsibility 122 (31.7)
Helping friends/family 92 (24.0)
Spiritual bless 181 (47.0)
Others 13 (3.38)
43
According to Table (4.9), out of 385 individuals, 44 (11.4 %) were non-donors
and 341 (88.6%) were donors, 106 (31.0%) had donated once, 139 (40.7%) had
donated two to five times, 37 (11.0%) had donated six to ten times and 59 (17.3%)
had donated more than ten times and among them 213 (62.5%) were donating
regularly. The most common reason for donating blood recognized by both groups
was altruism 293 (76.0%) followed by spiritual bless 181 (47.0%). Nearly one-fourth
of the participants 92 (24.0%) wanted to donate blood for helping their family and
friends. About one third 122 (31.7%) of the participants expressed the sense of social
responsibility as their reason for donating blood.
Table (4.10) distinguishes the feeling after blood donating among female and
male donors.
Table (4.10) Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Donors

Feeling after donating Female n (%) Male n (%) Total n (%)
Comfortable 83 (24.2) 97 (28.4) 180 (52.8)
Fear 21 (6.2) 3 (1.0) 24(7.0)
Anger Nil Nil Nil
Indifferent 45 (13.2) 92 (27.0) 137 (40.2)
As shown in Table (4.10), out of 341 donors, 180 (52.8%) of the participants
including a bit equal number of female and male responded that they felt comfortable
after donating blood while 137 (40.2%) felt blood donation indifferent in which male
participants experienced quite normal after they had donated blood compared with
female participants. Only 24 (7.0%) were fearful of needle or seeing blood during
donation.
44
Table (4.11) shows that association between gender, age and type of
participants and reasons for donating blood.
Table (4.11) Factors Associated with Reasons for Donating Blood
Altruism Sense of Social Helping Friends/ Spiritual
Variables
(%) Responsibility (%) Family (%) Bliss (%)
Female 38.4 12.2 13.3 23.4
Gender
Male 37.7 19.5 10.7 23.6
(18-25) 75.6 31.3 23.3 48.3
Age (26-35) 78.9 24.4 22.0 47.2
(year) (36-45) 77.4 39.6 30.2 47.2
(46-60) 66.7 48.5 24.2 39.4
Types 1st time 78.3 34.0 19.8 47.2
of donors
Donor Repeat 73.6 34.0 20.4 52.8
donors
Non- 84.0 13.6 52.3 15.9
donors
In Table (4.11), except the reason sense of social responsibility, gender was
not significantly associated with other reasons. It was found that a significant
association with male participants had more sense of social responsibility than female
participants. Age was also associated with reasons for donating blood with older
participants having higher social responsibility than younger ones. According to the
type of respondents, deferrals or non-donors were likely to donate to help their family
or friends.
The distribution of donors according to their practice was shown in Table (4.12).
Table (4.12) Distribution of Donors According to Their Practice
Type of Donor Female n (%) Male n (%) Total n (%)
1st time donors 59 (55.7) 47 (44.3) 106 (31.1)
2-5 times donors 68 (49.0) 71 (51.0) 139 (40.8)
6-10 times donors 18 (48.7) 19(51.3) 37 (10.8)
>10 times donors 20 (34.0) 39 (66.0) 59 (17.3)
45
In Table (4.12), distribution of blood donors according to their practice is
presented. As shown in the table, out of 341 donors, 139 (40.8%) of donors had
donated between 2 to 5 times. 106 (31.1%) were 1st time donors. 59 (17.3%) donors
had more than 10 times donation frequency and 37 (10.8%) had donated 6 to10 times.
The data on blood donation practices per age among 1st time and repeat donors
is shown in Table (4.13).
Table (4.13) Blood Donation Practice per Age among Donors

Age (year) 1st time 2-5 times 6-10 times >10 times Total
18-25 76 (43.2%) 66 (37.5%) 12 (6.8%) 9 (5.1%) 163
26-35 20 (16.3%) 47 (38.2%) 11 (8.9%) 26(21.1%) 104
36-45 6 (11.3%) 14 (26.4%) 11 (20.8%) 11 (20.8%) 42
46-60 4 (12.1%) 12 (36.4%) 3 (9.1%) 13 (39.4%) 32
Table (4.13) reveals that majority (43.2%) of the donors who were 1st time
donors belonged to the age group (18-25) and (39.4%) of oldest age group (46-60)
donors were more likely to practice blood donation than donors of other age groups.
Generally, 2 to 5 times donors were mostly found in all age groups. Between 26 and
35 years old donors, greater than ten times donors were the second most donors and
majority (39.4%) of the oldest age group donors had greater than ten time of donation
frequency.
4.3.6 Motives for Voluntary Blood Donation

Nine motivation-related items in the questionnaire were adapted directly from
the VFI (Voluntary Functions Inventory). The value factor, the esteem factor; the
social factor and the understanding factor are from the VFI. In addition, another two
items (statement J and K) were included as moral factor adapted from Misje, et al.
(2005). These addressed a broad range of reasons for donating blood that were not
covered by the VFI.
46
a) Esteem
The third variable was formed by correlation between variables A and B
which address increased self-esteem associated with giving blood (donating blood
makes me feel better about myself). These variables correspond to the VFI esteem
factor.
b) Social
The fourth factor was composed of responses to statements C and D. Variable
C addresses positive feelings when seeing the blood bank logo or advertisements for
blood donation. The latter emphasizes the importance of support from other people as
reasons for donation, and corresponds to the VFI social factor.
c) Value
The second factor was composed of the responses to statements E and F,
which cite altruistic and empathic reasons for giving blood. These statements
Correspond to the VFI value factor.
d) Understanding
The first factor was produced by the correlation between Variables G, H, I.
Variable G corresponds to the understanding factor. Variables H and I address
perceived health benefits from donation (regular health control, and improves health).
e) Moral
The fifth factor was composed of variables J and K, which describe blood
donation as a 'moral obligation' and as a duty. This will be labeled the moral duty
factor.
47
The study participants reported more than one motivation. Table (4.14) shows
the motivational status of the participants.
Table (4.14) Motivational Status of Respondents
Statements n (%)
A Donating blood makes me feel important 95 (24.7)
B Donating blood makes me feel needed 173
(44.9)
C Feeling good, seeing the blood bank logo, or ad for blood 119
donation (30.9)
D Colleagues, and other people, place me high value on 82 (21.3)
volunteering
E Feeling great compassion towards the receivers of blood 296
products (77.1)
F I donate blood because it is important to help other people 260
(67.5)
G By donating blood I can explore my own strengths 69 (17.9)
H I think blood donation benefits my own health 60 (15.6)
I An important reason for donation is getting a health check for 52 (13.5)
free
J For me blood donation is primarily a moral duty 69 (17.9)
K If I don’t contribute no one else will 21 (11.7)
According to the Table (4.14), major motivator to donate blood was ‘feel great
compassion towards the receivers’ to which (77.0%) of the participants were
assigned, followed by the category ‘to help other people’ where (67.5%) of the
participants contained as an act of altruism, thus broadly corresponding to the value
factor. (44.9%) and (24.7%) of the participants were assigned the category feel
needed and important themselves for blood donation as an act of self-esteem that
corresponds to esteem factor. About (30.0%) of the participants reported that they
were motivated to donate blood by seeing the blood bank logo or ad for blood
donation and from their friends who place high value on volunteering; thus it is
regarded as social factor. Another category that motivates (15.7%) of the participants
was I can explore my own strength as a perception of health benefit from donation;
48
corresponds to understanding factor. Lower percentage of the participant revealed that
they donated blood as a moral obligation.
Table (4.15) shows the motivational status related with gender, age and donor type.
Table (4.15) Motivational Status in Gender, Age Group and Respondent Type
Variables Value % Understanding % Social % Esteem % Moral %
Gender
Female 70.5 13.3 27.0 33.0 6.4
Male 74.0 18.0 25.1 35.9 15.6
Age (year)
18-25 74.2 15.2 24.2 32.8 10.8
26-35 74.4 25.0 27.2 36.2 11.8
36-45 76.4 14.5 23.6 33.0 7.6
46-60 63.6 14.1 36.4 44.0 15.2
Respondent Type
1st time 71.2 12.0 24.0 30.7 7.6
Donors
Repeat 76.0 18.4 25.8 38.7 13.8
Donors
Non-donors 67.0 9.9 33.0 23.9 3.4
As shown in Table (4.15), the most influence factor to motivate the
participants was value factor. It was noted that there were no significant different
between female and male participants who were motivated by value, understanding,
social and esteem factors but male participants who were motivated by moral factor
were twice higher than female participants. Second most influence factor on both
female and male donors was esteem factor followed by social factor. Moral factor was
the weakest motivated factor for both female and male participants. It was noted that
the moral factor was the weakest motivator for all age groups and all type of the
respondents except the older respondents for those the moral duty was taken into
consider an important role for voluntary blood donation.
49
4.3.7 Reasons for not Donating Regularly among Repeat Donors
Table (4.16) shows the reasons for not donating regularly among repeat
donors.
Table (4.16) Reasons for Not Donating Regularly Among Repeat Donors
Statements n (%)
Blood donation is time consuming 66(28.0)
The frightening sight of blood 15(6.4)
Fear of being diagnosed HIV positive 25 (10.6)
Parents do not allowed 22 (9.4)
Blood donation causes weakness and fainting 22 (9.4)
The fear of contracting diseases like hepatitis, HIV etc 34(14.5)
The fear of needle pricks 20(8.5)
Fear of being rejected as a donor 24(10.2)
Far from a blood bank 83 (35.3)
Other (specify) 7 (3.0)
According to Table (4.16), difficulty in accessing blood bank is the common
reason for not donating regularly by (35.3%) of the donors. (28.0%) thought that
blood donation is time consuming for not donating blood regularly. (14.5%) thought
that there was high risk of contracting diseases like hepatitis, HIV etc when donating
blood. The fear of having one’s HIV status checked was thought to be one of the
reasons not to donate blood regularly by (10.6%). Fear of being rejected as a donor
due to lack of eligible criteria such as low level of hemoglobin, blood pressure, body
weight, etc. was also a reason for not donating blood regularly for (10.2%) of the
donors. Other fears considered to be the reasons for not donating blood regularly were
fear of pain from needle pricks and frightening sight of blood while donating blood by
(8.5%) and (6.4%), respectively. Other reasons for not donating blood regularly were
causes of weakness and fainting and were not allowed to donate blood by parents.
4.3.8 Encouragement of more People to be Blood Donors

In Table (4.17), statements to support by blood bank in order to encourage
more people to be blood donors are described.
50
Table (4.17) Blood Bank can do in Order to Encourage More People to be
Blood Donors
Statements n (%)
Carrying out educational campaigns on importance of blood 273(70.9)
donation
Assuring donors of maximum confidentially after blood samples 77(20.0)
are tested
Give incentives to blood donors 46 (12.0)
Put up adverts on TV, radio, Website on blood donation 245 (63.6)
There should be blood banks in accessible hospitals 207 (53.8)
According to Table (4.17), (70.9%) of the participants thought that public

education on importance of blood donation would encourage more people to donate
blood. (63.6%) reported that media encourage people to donate blood very well. To
encourage more people to donate blood, (53.8%) reported that blood banks should be
in accessible hospitals. (20.0%) of the donors would like the blood bank to assure
donors of maximum confidentially after blood samples are tested. Only (12.0%)
thought that giving incentives to blood donors was one of the motivating factors to
encourage people to donate blood.
51
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
This chapter offers important findings and discussion through a careful

overview on the chapters previously presented. In this study, an attempt has been
made to assess the level and factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice
and motives towards voluntary blood donation. Recommendations for future research
are addressed in the last part of the chapter.
5.1 Finding and Discussion

The need for blood and blood components is steadily increasing. Millions of
people need blood transfusions each year during surgery or therapeutic treatment or
having large disaster or emergency events. There is no such thing as artificial blood
till now. The availability of blood and blood components totally depends on human
being especially on voluntary blood donors so as to get safe and continuous supply of
blood and its components. Therefore, it is necessary to take more and more effort to
persuade people to become voluntary blood donors and to understand the factors
associated with voluntary blood donation.
In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the level and factors
associated with knowledge, attitudes, practice of the public who came to NBC to
donate blood and their motivational factors on voluntary blood donation so as to
enhance voluntary blood donation practice among people.
Analyses to compare the socio-demographic characteristics of the study
participants showed that out of total 385, there was nearly equal number of female
and male respondents, 190 (49.0%) and 195 (51.0%) respectively. The youngest age
group (18-25) had the highest participation (45.7%) in donation followed by nearly
(32.0%) of respondents that fell in the age group (26-35). The (13.8%) and (8.6%)
respondents that belonged to the age group (36-45) and (45-60) respectively, were
underrepresented. These findings are consistent with the report of WHO Global
Database on Blood Safety, 2016. It was reported that in the low and middle income
52
countries most of the blood donations are done by people in age group of 18 to 24 and
25 t0 44 years, whereas in high income countries, it is made by people aged over 44
years.
In this study, not all the respondents were eligible for donation. Out of total
385 participants, 341 (57.0%) were able to donate and 44(11.4%) were non-donors.
Among the donors, 106 (27.5%) were 1st time donors and 235 (61.0%) were repeat
donors. Among 385 respondents, there include deferrals who are currently rejected to
donate blood due to some reasons. Deferrals might be both non-donors and ever
donated persons. The most common reason for deferral was due to high blood
pressure; some have hypertension or some others excitation of blood donation. Other
significant reasons were low hemoglobin level and low body weight particularly
among female participants. The significant number of 1st time donors and non-donors
shows that there is still lack of awareness among people about voluntary blood
donation.
It was found that over one-third of the study participants (75.6%) were
unmarried. Male participants who were married were likely to have more chance to
donate than female married participants. It was assumed that the more educated the
participants the more and better knowledge they would be about blood donation issue
in general. The participants of the present study as expected were well educated, with
the majority (49.4%) of them having university degrees. About (23.9%) were
Matriculation and (7.8%) were post grad as their highest qualification thus translating
their knowledge into practice. About 48 (12.5%) respondents did not identify their
educational status assuming they had not passed metric yet.
Assessment of occupations revealed that a higher proportion of the
respondents (45.5%) were company employees such as banking, services company,
production company, seaman etc. That means people who work in companies donate
blood more than people in other jobs. It was also found that a fair number of civil
employees (14.6%) came to donate and another (14.6%) were students. Others
(15.3%) included were housewife, taxi drivers, monks, nun and younger people who
were waiting for a job after they had left school or college or university and (10.1%)
were self employed.
With regard to religion, as most of the citizens of Myanmar are devout
Buddhist, majority of the respondents (96.6%) were noted to be Buddhism. Few
(2.0%) belonged to the Christians followed by the Islam (0.5%) and the Hindu
53
(0.5%). Majority of the participants were Burma (86.0%) followed by Rakkhine
(4.0%). The residential area of Yangon was divided into two regions such as within
the municipal area and out of the municipal area. The majority (81.8%) of the
respondents lived within the areas, while (9.6%) lived in out of the areas.
The overall level of knowledge was (58.4%). This implies that knowledge of
the study participants on VBD may be inadequate but according to the WHO Global
Status Report (2016), the knowledge level of the respondents in this study is
comparable with the prevalence of adequate knowledge towards blood donation
which is estimated to be (60.0%) in developing countries. There was no significant
difference between males and females with regard to their knowledge on voluntary
blood donation. However, on the basis of scoring scale, it is found that the oldest age
group (46-60) and the repeat donors were likely to have adequate knowledge of
voluntary blood donation when compared to younger age groups and donors of less
donation practice. That means the older the participants were the higher the
knowledge they had.
Nearly all (95.8%) of the respondents revealed that they had heard about blood
donation and (72.0%) were aware of blood group. As a truth till now there is no such
thing as artificial blood, majority of the participants accepted it. But out of (8.3%)
respondents, some thought that there is artificial blood or some kind of blood
components artificially available; and some reported that they did not know about it.
Lack of information on blood donation lowers the prevalence of voluntary
blood donation. Regarding sources of information about blood donation among
participants, over half of the respondents reported that they received information
about blood donation from their family and friends. The importance of social
networks as a recruitment channel that reaches a wide range of potential blood donors
is noteworthy. It was found that (47.3%) of the respondents were influenced by media
advertising such as newspapers, online media, leaflets, posters, TV or radio, etc.
Actually active blood donors are probably the ones who are best suited to recruit and
to motivate other people to become committed donors. In this study, a fair number
(42.6%) of the respondents started their donation on account of the recommendation
of blood donors.
Related to the knowledge about source of blood supply, majority of the
respondents accepted that safe blood could only be received from blood bank and
voluntary donors as a best source of blood supply. However, 148 (38.4%) thought that
54
their family and friends were the source for blood supply. Only (8.6%) believed that
blood could be received from paid donors.
Awareness of the appropriate education for blood donation and the donor
deferral criteria were very important factors. Deferral of a donor is not only
unpleasant for the donor but it also leads to wastage of precious time and money of
the transfusion centre. Therefore, appropriate education of society regarding deferral
factors of blood donation both temporary and permanent can lead to decrease in
deferral rate. Every individual should know the benefits, risks, and eligibility criteria’s
of blood donation in order to increase the frequency of repeat blood donations and can
turn first time blood donors into regular blood donors. More intensive public
awareness campaigns by government with the help of non-governmental
organizations are required.
According to the knowledge about blood safety and donor eligibility, (71.4%)
had knowledge of the appropriate age for blood donation and less than half (39.7%) of
the respondents knew the correct weight limit required for blood donation. Only one-
fourth of the respondents knew the blood pressure eligible for blood donation. On
knowledge of volume of blood collected in each process, the correct answer 350-450
mls stated by (36.6%) of the respondents expressed inadequate knowledge of it. Only
(17.1%) of the respondents had adequate knowledge of the required level of Hb gm%
for blood donation. Of the respondents, (65.5%) stated that correct minimum donation
frequency was every four months.
With the objective to know the level of awareness about diseases which can be
acquired via blood transfusion, majority (75.0%) of the respondents believed that HIV
infection could be transmitted through blood transfusion. (58.7%) thought that
donating blood can contract Hepatitis B and about half (49.4%) of the respondents
were aware that Hepatitis C could be transmitted through blood transfusion. Slightly
greater than one-third 131 (34.0%) and about one-fourth 102 (26.5%) of the
participants were aware that Syphilis and Malaria could be potentially transmitted
through blood transfusions, respectively.
Gender, age, educational status, occupation and practice were found to be
explanatory variables of knowledge for blood donation. From the socio-demographic
factors, gender was not significantly associated with knowledge of voluntary blood
donation. The knowledge level of both female and male was nearly the same.
However, on the basis of scoring scale, the age range of the respondents was
55
significantly associated with knowledge level of voluntary blood donation. It was
found that, the oldest age group (46-60), or the old could have more knowledge than
the young and the repeat donors had high adequate knowledge. There also was
significant association of level of knowledge on voluntary blood donation with
marital status. According to the findings, the married participants had more adequate
knowledge than unmarried ones. It was also found that higher educational status i.e.,
post grads and graduates was significantly associated with adequate knowledge for
voluntary blood donation. The other associated factor was occupation. Respondents
who were self-employed had more adequate knowledge than those with other
occupations. Level of knowledge was significantly associated with practice of blood
donation. It was found that donors who had more blood donation practice were more
likely to have adequate knowledge than less practice donors.
In this study, most (94.6%) of the respondents had favorable attitude towards
voluntary blood donation. About (97.7%) of the participants thought that donating
blood is a good habit and about (93.5%) thought that there is no need to give
incentives to those who donate blood. Although the study participants including
donors and non-donors were in the age range 18 to 60 having different educational
and occupational status, (86.2%) of individuals accepted that voluntary donor is the
best source of blood donation. A few respondents (12.7%) believed that blood
donation is harmful to the donors. That means, decreases the perception that blood
donation is harmful can lead to an increase in the pool of blood donors. Majority
81.0% of the study participants had wrong perception that relatives of patient should
be asked for blood donation. That means more campaigns are needed about voluntary
blood donation by blood banks and philanthropic organizations to change public
perception of such a misunderstanding. However, although most (92.5%) of the
participants did not think that blood donation lowers the donor’s immunity, over half
(67.8%) of the participants did not think that blood donation makes the donor weak.
(95.6%) of the respondents believed that blood donation could not lead to anemia.
Nearly all of the study participants were willing to donate blood voluntarily in the
future and nearly all (96.4%) of them would like to encourage their relatives to donate
blood.
The present study found that gender and type of respondents were not
significantly associated with attitude towards voluntary blood donation. However, it
was found that the oldest age group (46-60) had 100% positive attitude on voluntary
56
blood donation and particularly the higher practice donors were likely to have more
favorable attitude than those who were less practice of donation. The other significant
factor was marital status. Married participants had (100.0%) positive attitude towards
voluntary blood donation. The educational status was also associated with attitude
towards voluntary blood donation. Except the respondents who had got Diploma
qualification, other respondents were favorable attitude towards voluntary blood
donation. Occupational status was also a significant factor. It was found that self-
employed respondents not only had adequate knowledge but also had more favorable
attitude towards voluntary blood donation.
It was found that majority (88.6%) of the respondents have ever donated in
their lifetime. This could be because the study site is NBC and all the participants are
those who came to NBC with the intention of donating blood. The frequency of blood
donation was high among male donors when compared to females in this study. Out
of 341 donors, 139 (40.7%) of donors had donated between 2 to 5 times. 106 (31.0%)
were 1st time donors and 59 (17.3%) were more than 10 time donors. Over one-third
37 (11.0%) of the donors had 6 to 10 time donating frequency. It was also found that
majority of the first time donors belonged to the youngest age group (18-25). That
may be due to the fact that such donors are young and energetic and feel fit and
healthy to donate blood. Young persons are attracted by the emotional collection
campaigns conducted by the blood banks. Another interesting finding was that most
of the greater than ten time donors belonged to the oldest age group (46-60).
Generally, out of 341 donors, nearly 235 (69.0%) were repeat donors. This indicates
that the commitment to donate blood is high among donors.
Experience of blood donation is an important factor for determining the future
blood donations especially in the first time blood donors. Those blood donors who
have a pleasant blood donation experience usually return back for donating blood in
future and turn into regular VNRBD while those who experience it unpleasant often
do not return for repeat blood donation. In this study, 180 (52.8%) of the participants
responded that they felt comfortable after blood donation while 137 (40.2%) felt
blood donation indifferent.
In this study, altruism dominated the reasons for donating blood followed by
spiritual bliss and the sense of social responsibility with number of male participants
higher than that of female participants. Nearly one-fourth of the participants admitted
that they wanted to donate blood for helping their family and friends.
57
As a reason for donating blood, it was not observed any significant difference
in altruistic behavior between female and male participants. But altruistic behavior
varied greatly by age with younger participants having high percentage. It may be due
to the fact that altruism and desire to perform unselfish acts prevalent in younger
people who like to participate in community affairs and volunteer works. Social
responsibility appears to be another important reason for donation. Although not
always labeled as social responsibility per se, an obligation to humanity may be
asking about social responsibility. It was found that a significant association with
gender where male participants were more likely to have a social responsibility for
donating blood than female participants. Social responsibility was also associated
with age, with older donors having much higher social responsibility motivation
reasons. According to the type of respondents, it was found that participants, who had
ever donated, especially repeat donors, realized the sense of social responsibility for
blood donation more than those who had never donated blood. High altruistic
behavior and spiritual bliss showed that, generally, mass media campaign or
recruitment all could modify these characteristics and blood centers will need to
conduct more motivational factors and successfully attract a new generation of blood
donors.
An important aim of this study was to investigate the motivational profiles of
the respondents and the study showed that the respondents were motivated by values
(altruistic and empathic), self-esteem (ego enhancement), social influence and
understanding (a perception of health benefits from donation). Respondents were also
found to be motivated by moral obligation.
Regarding the motivational status related with gender, age and donor type, the
study showed that the value motive was the most dominant factor to both female and
male donors. The second and third commonest factors that motivate the participants
were esteem factor and social factor. There was weak understanding among the
participants that blood donation improve one’s own health status. It was also found
that the non-donors were significantly influenced by social factor that they came to
blood bank to donate blood not only due to the value factor but also for seeing a blood
bank logo or advertisements. Though moral factor was the least influenced factor on
all of the respondents, male donors were found to be motivated by moral obligation
more than female donors
58
There are many factors surrounding the blood donation that makes donors not
to donate regularly. Time consuming, long distance to the donating site and
transportation difficulties were common reasons for not donating regularly. Other
reasons were general fear of needle pricks, sight of blood, fear of being diagnosed
HIV positive, fear of being rejected as donor, feeling weak after donation, medical
excuses such as iron levels in their blood. Also included were frightening, not allowed
by parents, causes weakness and fainting and it leads to infection.
Recruiting a sufficient number of safe blood donors is an emerging challenge
especially with the increase in demands as a result of an increase in population size in
developing countries like Myanmar. In order to recruit voluntary blood donors and to
encourage more people to be blood donors, most of the participants agreed that public
education about the importance of voluntary blood donation is a good motivational
factor. About (12.0%) of the study participants were likely to have some incentives
for blood donation such as donor certificates; some material rewards; announcement
of their name in the blood bank website; free blood and blood products if they
required transfusion themselves. Over half of the respondents reported that mass
media (TV/ Radio/Advertisements, Social networks) is an important recruitment
channel to encourage people to donate blood. (20.0%) of the donors would like the
blood bank to assure donors of maximum confidentially after blood samples are
tested.
This study showed that over half of the participants had adequate knowledge
which is comparable with other developing countries as estimated by WHO and
almost all of the respondents have positive attitudes and a great deal of interest in
voluntary blood donation. Almost all of the participants were willing to donate blood
again in future. This positive feeling should be encouraged with proper knowledge
regarding blood safety to meet the demand of blood requirement. The variables such
as knowledge, attitude, practice, reasons and motivational factors affected by different
socio-demographic characteristics of the participants are needed to think to encourage
people to donate more and more blood voluntarily and regularly so as to achieve
WHO goal of 100% voluntary blood donation by 2020. In addition, voluntary blood
donation should be promoted, especially among youngsters, as they can supply blood
continuously.
59
5.2 Recommendations
It is not sure whether you yourself or one of your family member or of friends
needs blood at what time. But it is absolutely certain that someone who you do not
know needs blood for a certain circumstance.
One of the reasons for not donating blood even though one is eligible for
donation may be due to the fact that he could not think there could be someone who
needs his blood. Donating blood is different from other kinds of donation like giving
money, materials, helping by hand or by saying something good. Nothing but blood
could save people in need and such blood could only be received from human being.
Need of blood by a citizen is need of blood by its country. Give blood to people in
need is doing a kind of duty for the country. Everyone who has grown up and is in
good health should donate blood.
Although the continuous supply of safe blood could be received from regular
voluntary unpaid donors, low hemoglobin levels and low body weight were the major
important reasons for temporary deferral among the 1st time and repeat donors in
many developing countries and in Myanmar as well. Thus, efforts to increase the
hemoglobin and nutrition awareness among the donors should be considered to
improve the donor retention and increase overall blood safety.
According to the findings, over half of the participants received information
about blood donation from their family and friends rather than from mass media.
Educational program on blood donation and blood transfusion should be expanded
through various media including the internet to keep the topic of blood donation alive
in the mind of the general public. These programs might focus more heavily on the
benefits of blood donation and the idea that blood donation does not pose significant
health risks, especially it would never cause individuals any harm to their education,
business or daily work.
The public should know that all measures besides screening tests implemented
by blood bank is to ensure that blood donation is safe for donors and that transfusion
of the donated blood is safe for recipients. These efforts need to be carried out not
only at blood bank or hospital level but also at national level.
More studies on voluntary blood donation in quantitatively and qualitatively
should be carried out and published to persuade more people to be voluntary unpaid
donors.
60
Calculate the Mean
Calculate the average, or mean of your data points. To do this, add the values of all data points,
then divide by the number of data points. Say you have four melons, with weights of 2
pounds, 5 pounds, 6 pounds and 7 pounds. Find the sum: 2 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 20, then divide by four,
since there are four data points: 20 / 4 = 5. So your potatoes have a mean weight of 5 pounds.
Calculate Average Deviation
Once you know the mean of your data, calculate the average deviation. Average deviation
measures the average distance of your data points from the mean.
First, calculate the distance of each data point from the mean: the distance, D, of a data point
equal to the absolute value of the data point's value, d, minus the mean, m: D = |d - m| Absolute
value, represented by the | |, signifies that if the result of the subtraction is a negative number,
convert it into a positive number. For example, the 2-pound melon has a deviation of 3, since 2
minus the mean, 5, is -3, and the absolute value of -3 is 3. Using this formula, you can find that
the deviation of the 6-pound melon is 1, and the 7-pound melon is 2. The 5-pound melon's
deviation is zero, since its weight is equal to the mean.
Once you know the deviations of all your data points, find their average by adding them, and
dividing by the number of data points. The deviations are 3, 2, 1 and zero, which have a sum
of 6. If you divide 6 by the number of data points, 4, you get an average deviation of 1.5.
Percent Deviation from Mean and Average
The mean and average deviation are used to find the percent deviation. Divide the average
deviation by the mean, then multiply by 100. The number you get will show the average
percentage that a data point differs from the mean. Your melons have a mean weight of 5
pounds, and an average deviation of 1.5 pounds, so:
percent deviation = 1.5 / 5 x 100 = 30 percent
So on average, your data points are distant from your mean by 30 percent of the mean's value.
Percent Deviation From a Known Standard
Percent deviation can also refer to how much the mean of a set of data differs from a known
or theoretical value. This can be useful, for instance, when comparing data gathered from a lab
experiment to a known weight or density of a substance. To find this type of percent deviation,
subtract the known value from the mean, divide the result by the known value and multiply by
100.
Suppose you did an experiment to determine the density of aluminum, and came up with a mean
density of 2,500 kilograms per meter squared. The known density of aluminum is 2,700 kilogram
per meter squared, so you can use these two numbers to calculate by how much your
experimental mean differs from the known mean. Subtract 2,700 from 2,500, divide the result by
2,700, then multiply by 100:
percent deviation = (2,500 - 2,700) / 2,700 x 100 = -200 / 2,700 x 100 = -7.41 percent
The negative sign in your answer signifies that your mean is lower than the expected mean. If the
percent deviation is positive, it signifies your mean is higher than expected. So your mean
density is 7.41 percent lower than the known density.
The confidence interval of the mean is a statistical term used to describe the range of values in
which the true mean is expected to fall, based on your data and confidence level. The most
commonly used confidence level is 95 percent, meaning that there is a 95 percent probability that
the true mean lies within the confidence interval you've calculated. To calculate the confidence
interval, you need to know the mean of your data set, the standard deviation, the sample size and
your chosen confidence level.
Calculate the mean, if you haven't done so already, by adding all of the values in your data set
and dividing by the number of values. For example, if your data set were 86, 88, 89, 91, 91, 93,
95 and 99, you would get 91.5 for the mean.
Calculate the standard deviation for the data set, if you haven't done so already. In our example,
the standard deviation of the data set is 4.14.
Determine the standard error of the mean by dividing the standard deviation by the square root of
the sample size. In this example, you would divide 4.14, the standard deviation, by the square
root of 8, the sample size, to get about 1.414 for the standard error.
Determine the critical value for t by using a t-table. You can find one in your statistics textbook
or via an online search. The number of degrees of freedom is equal to one less than the number
of data points in your set -- in our case, 7 -- and the p-value is the confidence level. In this
example, if you wanted a 95 percent confidence interval and you had seven degrees of freedom,
your critical value for t would be 2.365.
Multiply the critical value by the standard error. Continuing the example, you would multiply
2.365 by 1.414 and get 3.344.
Subtract this figure from the mean of your data set, and then add this figure to the mean, to find
the lower and upper limit of the confidence interval. For example, you would subtract 3.344 from
the mean of 91.5 to find the lower limit to be 88.2, and add it to find the upper limit to be 94.8.
This range, 88.2 to 94.8, is your confidence interval for the mean.
Tip
If you need to brush up on how to calculate the standard deviation of your data set, the
information is easily found online or in your statistics textbook.
Appendix: Questionnaire for Voluntary Blood Donation
Part 1: Socio- demographic characteristics

1. Age ______
2. Sex: male _____ female_____
3. Marital status:
4. Ethnicity:
5. Religion:
6. Education: Matric/Certificate/Diploma/Degree/Post-grad
7. Occupation: Government organization/Company Employee/Self employed /Student
/ Housewife/Unemployed /Other (specify)
8. Address
Part II: Knowledge of blood donation
1. Do you know about blood group? Yes ____ No____
2. If yes for Q no;1, How many blood groups are there according to your knowledge?
______
3. Have you ever heard about blood donation? Yes ___ No____
4. If yes for question No: 3, what is your source of information? (More than one
answer is possible)
1. I have received transfusion in the past
2. Advertisement in TV/Radios/ Internet/ Newspapers/ Journals/ Posters
3. from Relatives/ Friends
4. Voluntary Blood Donors
5. Other(specify)
5. Can human blood be manufactured artificially? Yes___ No____
6. Do you know source to give blood for those who need blood supply?
Yes _____ No__
7. If yes for question No 6; What are sources for blood supply to the patient who need
blood? (More than one answer is possible)
1. Voluntary blood donor
2. Family donors
3. Paid donors
4. Blood Bank
5. Not know
8. What is voluntary blood donation?
1. Act of donating blood
2. Donating blood to relatives, friends
3. Donation of blood or blood components by a person of his/her free will
4. Don’t know
9. What is the age of eligibility for blood donation?
1. 16-60 yr 2. 18-60 yr 3. 18-65 yr 4. Don’t know
10. Minimum weight eligibility for blood donation is
1. 100 lb for 350 ml 2. 110 lb for 350 ml 3. 100 lb for 450 ml 4. 110 lb
for 450 ml 5. Don’t know
11. Normal blood pressure to donate blood is
1.100/60 mmHg -160/90 mm Hg. 2. 110/60 mmHg -160/95 mm Hg.
3.110/65 mmHg -160/90mm Hg. 4. Don’t know
12. Does the blood bank say why you are not allowed to donate blood?
A. Yes B. No
13. If say, why?
1.age not eligible
2.weight not eligible
3.hemoglobin not eligible
4.blood pressure not eligible
5.other (specify)
14. How many milliliters of blood does a person donate each time?
1. 350-450 ml 2. 500-600 ml 3. 800-900 ml 4. Don’t know
15.What should be the hemoglobin level for a person to donate blood?
1. Not less than 11.5 gm%
4. Don’t Know
16. How many minutes the actual blood donation process of a pint of whole blood
unit takes?
1. 30-50 minutes 2. Less than ten minutes
3. 20-60 minutes 4. Don’t know
17. How long donated red blood cells can be stored at 2-40C?
1. 42 days 2. 80 days 3. 120 days 4. Don’t Know
18. How often can people donate blood in a year?
1. 1 time 2. 2 times 3. 3 times
4. 4 times 5. don’t know
19. What is the time taken for volume of blood to be replaced after a single donation?
1. 12-24 hours 2. 24-36 hours 3. 2-3 weeks 4. Don’t know
20. Does regular voluntary blood donation have medical benefits? Yes__ No__
21. Can a person be infected by receiving blood? Yes_______ No_______
22. If yes for No 24; What disease are transmissible by blood transfuse? (More than
one answer is possible)
1. HIV 2. HBV
3. HCV 4. Syphilis
5. Malaria 6. Others (specify)_
23. What investigation should be done during blood donation?
1. Screening test for disease
2. No idea
24. Say yes or no for the following questions
1. Can one donate during fever? Yes__ No__
2. Can a donation be done by a person who is taking medicines for chronic
diseases? Yes__ No__
3. Can a person having allergy donate? Yes__ No__
4. Can a smoker donate blood? Yes__ No__
5. Can a person with chronic alcoholism donate blood? Yes__ No__
6. Can People who are known HIV positive and People with Hepatitis donate
blood? Yes__ No__
25. What are the components that can be separated from a unit of donated blood?
1. RBC, WBC, Platelet& Plasma
2. Platelet, Hemoglobin, Iron
3. Don’t Know
26. Number of live saved from each unit of donated blood? Yes__ No__
Part III: Attitude
1. Do you think that donating blood is good habit? Yes__No__
2. Do you think there is a need to give incentives to those who donate blood?
Yes__ No__
3. Do you think that Voluntary donor is best source of blood donation to make safe
blood? Yes__ No__
4. Could harm occur to a blood donor after blood donation? Yes__ No__
5. Should patient’s relative be asked to donate? Yes__No__
6. Do you think that donating Blood lower donor’s Immunity? Yes__No__
7. Does donation make weak? Yes__No__
8. Could blood donation leads to anemia? yes__ No__
9. Are you willing to donate blood in the future? yes__No__
10. Do you encourage relatives to donate? yes__No__
Part IV: practice and motivation towards donation (reasons for donating and not
donating)
1. Have you ever donated blood? Yes ___No__ (if no go to question no 7)
2. If yes how many times?
1. 1 time 2. 2-5 times 3. 6-10 times 4. above 10 times
3. When was the last time you have donated blood?
>1year =1 year >1year
4. Are you regular voluntary donor? Yes __No__
5. How do you feel after donating blood?
1. Comfortable 2. Fear
3. Anger 4. Indifferent
6. Willingness to donate blood if asked or reminded to do so. Yes --- No-----
7. Motivational statement questionnaire
1. Blood donation is a cause that is important to me
2. Donating blood makes me feel needed
3. I get a good feeling whenever I see the blood bank logo, or an
advertisement for blood donation
4. My colleagues, and other people I know, place high value on volunteering
as blood donator
5. I donate because I feel great compassion towards the receivers of blood
products
6. I donate blood because it is important to help other people
7. By donating blood I can explore my own strengths
8. I think blood donation benefits my own health
9. An important reason for donation is that I get a health check for free
10. For me blood donation is primarily a moral duty
11. If I don’t contribute no one else will
8. What are the reasons for donating blood? (more than one answer is possible)
1. Altruism/doing good to others 2. Sense of social responsibility
3. For helping friends/relatives 4. Spiritual bliss
9. Reasons for not donating blood regularly
1. Blood donation is time consuming
2. The frightening sight of blood
3. Fear of being diagnosed HIV positive
4. Parents do not allowed
5. Blood donation causes weakness and fainting
6. The fear of contracting diseases like hepatitis, HIV etc
7. The fear of needle pricks
8. Fear of being rejected as a donor
9. Far from a blood bank
10. Other (specify)
10. Why do you think some people are not willing to donate blood?
1. Fear of being tested for HIV
2. Fear of not having enough blood
3. Fear of contracting infectious diseases
4. Ignorance of information on blood donation
5. Fear of fainting
6. Others (specify)
11. What do you think your blood bank can do in order to encourage more people to
be blood donors?
1. Carrying out educational campaigns on importance of blood donation
2. Assuring donors of maximum confidentially after blood samples are tested
3. Give incentives to blood donors
4. Put up adverts on TV, radio, Website on blood donation
5. Make blood banks clean and nice places to go to
6. There should be blood banks in accessible hospitals
7. Other
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

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YANGON UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME

A STUDY ON THE FACTORS AFFECTING VOLUNTARY

AYE AYE MON

A STUDY ON THE FACTORS AFFECTING VOLUNTARY

Professor Dr. Thida Htay Aye Aye Mon

1. Professor Dr. Tun Aung

2. Dr. Kyaw Min Htun

3. Dr. Ni Lar Myint Htoo

4. Dr. Phyu Phyu Ei

Secure supply of safe blood components from voluntary non-remunerated

First of all, I would like to forward my gratitude to Yangon University of

I am sincerely grateful to hundreds of volunteers who participated in my

I would like to express my heart full gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Thida

My special thanks extend to Professor Dr. Thida Aung, Officer-in-Charge of

Table No. Title Page

Figure No. Title Page

ABO Blood type A, B, AB and O

1.1 Rationale of the Study

1.2 Objective of the Study

1.4 Scope and Limitations of the Study

1.5 Organization of the Study

2.1 Importance of Blood and Blood Donors

2.2 Voluntary Blood Donation and Socio-demographic Factor

2.3 Review on Previous Studies

2.3.1 Knowledge about Blood Donation

3.1 Blood Transfusion Service in Myanmar

3.2 Role of Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS)

Figure (3.1) Volunteer/Replacement Pattern of blood donation from 1999 to 2006

Source: Thida Aung (2009)

Figure (3.2) Number of Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donations in 7 Blood

3.3.2 Blood Donor Deferral

3.4 Criteria for Blood Donor Selection

(2) Physical Examination

Blood pressure - This is assessed by medical officers. Variations between 180/100

(3) Laboratory investigations

4.1 Survey Profile

4.2 Survey Design

4.3 Survey Findings

4.3.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Table (4.2) Religion, Ethnicity and the Distribution of Residential Areas

Level of knowledge: This is the understanding level of respondents on benefits, risks,

Figure (4.1) Source of Information for Blood Donation

From blood donors

Received blood donation

Source: Survey Data (2017)

Table (4.3) Knowledge on Source of Blood Supply

Age limit 275 71.4

Table (4.5) Diseases which can be acquired via Transfusion

Overall level of Knowledge

Source: Survey Data (2017)

4.3.4 Attitude towards Voluntary Blood Donation

Table (4.10) Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Donors

Table (4.13) Blood Donation Practice per Age among Donors

4.3.6 Motives for Voluntary Blood Donation

4.3.8 Encouragement of more People to be Blood Donors

According to Table (4.17), (70.9%) of the participants thought that public

This chapter offers important findings and discussion through a careful