Promoting Awareness of Blood Donation Among Medical Students Through Health Promotion

Abstract

Aim: Blood donation is crucial for the survival of critically ill persons and for complex medical procedures. However, in Ecuador, measures are needed to promote voluntary blood donation. Material and method: This study focused on medical students at Uniandes- Sede Santo Domingo, using qualitative research and a survey to identify motivations and barriers to blood donation. After a health promotion intervention, it was found that 20 of the 250 participants were willing to donate blood. It is important to continue to develop strategies to effectively obtain blood donors in the university student setting. Statistics and Result: Three people did not meet eligibility criteria and the remaining 17 people did donate blood. The university student population is a scenario to apply strategies to obtain blood donors effectively.