Latin Americans and Caribbeans know little about blood donation, study shows

Washington, DC, August 8, 2002 (PAHO) -- Many people in Latin America and the Caribbean know little about blood donation and have difficulty accessing blood services, according to a study in 15 countries sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The study demonstrated that Latin American and Caribbean citizens have little information on how donated blood is obtained, processed and utilized. Furthermore, it is difficult for them to gain access to these services and blood bank hours pose obstacles. The findings also confirmed that many myths about blood donation are prevalent, including the mistaken idea that donating blood will cause people to gain weight, lose weight, or induce disease.

The survey's main result was that there is a need to educate people to eliminate false beliefs and to give precise information on blood and blood donation.

The study also concluded that health service personnel should be trained to modify the way they treat blood donors, reducing their fears and encouraging them to return regularly to donate blood. It confirmed that blood banks still lack good infrastructure, equipment and supplies necessary to ensure excellence in blood quality, and they lack ideal environments for both donors and personnel.

PAHO's regional strategic plan to promote voluntary blood donation notes that effective programs must involve all aspects, from messages to the public to improvements in blood banks themselves.

Safe blood and the PAHO Centennial

PAHO, the oldest international health agency in the world, has worked to improve health services from its beginnings. Ministers of Health in the Region, at their Directing Council meeting in September 1999, resolved to promote the development of national blood programs and transfusion services, based on the voluntary, nonremunerated, and repeated donation of blood and on quality assurance.

The importance of safe blood in the Americas is critical, since guaranteeing uncontaminated transfusions avoids the risk of transmission of disease and subsequent high medical expenditures.

With the launching of the Regional Blood Safety Initiative, PAHO aims to improve the quality of blood for transfusions in the Americas, with emphasis on promotion of voluntary donations and complete screening of donated blood.

This initiative is of special interest in the Americas, where blood for transfusions comes from unremunerated volunteer donors in only a few countries and territories of the region, says Dr. José Ramiro Cruz, PAHO's regional adviser in blood and laboratory services.

The Regional Blood Safety Initiative was launched in 2001 with the support of a donation of $4.9 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its goal is that all countries of the region screen all units of blood to detect the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and Chagas' Disease by the end of 2003.

PAHO points out that one of the key requirements for a safe blood supply is that donations are voluntary instead of depending on paid donors or replacement donors such as relatives or friends of the person needing blood.