Motivation in immigrant communities about blood donation: the situation in Northern Italy.

Objectives The aim of this study is to establish which motivational factors could be important for the development of a mid or long-term commitment as a voluntary blood donor in immigrant communities. Blood donations by populations from non-European countries are a public health necessity. Previous investigations in France about this field have show that blood donors from the Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa feel a greater sense of citizenship than non-donors from the same areas. First of all blood donation by foreign populations could constitute a response to transfusion needs; moreover blood donation could be used by populations from the Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa as an active mean of expressing their sense of citizenship. Methodology Using a tablet-based and web-based survey, data about a sample of immigrants from different foreign communities will be collected in Northern Italy. Data on motivation will be analyzed. Some dimensions of blood-donor motivation will be investigated: altruism and empathy, social reasons (influence of friends and family), strengthening of one’s self-esteem, positive experiences associated with donation, a moral obligation to donate and other more culture-specific dimensions. Results achieved This study looked at motivational factors in the decision to donate blood within immigrant communities in Italy, in view of the lack of Italian published research in this field. Scientific and applicative relevance. Developing an intervention that encourages migrants to donate blood seems to be an important modern challenge and needs to be more culturally focused in Italian Health System. It appears that addressing perceptions based on home country experiences is essential. Key words: blood donor recruitment, blood donors, motivation for donating blood. This study was supported by the two associations of voluntary blood donors located in Lecco (ALDE, Associazione Lariana Donatori di Sangue Emocomponenti e Midollo Osseo and AVIS Provinciale di Lecco, Associazione Italiana Volontari Sangue della Provincia di Lecco).