Blood donation from adolescents point of view

Background Adolescents are a very interesting potential source for recruiting new blood donors. People who start giving blood as soon as they are adults are likely to donate for longer. Interest in this age group is also connected to several factors: the spread of healthy lifestyles; facilitate access of healthy people to the healthcare service; help develop a responsible mindset in terms of public spirit. Study design and methods Focus groups and analysis of the written results permitted the construction of an explorative questionnaire, administered to 3050 students in ten secondary schools in northern Italy; the participants were from 13 to 21 years old (M = 16.5, SD = 1.65; male = 47.7%, female = 52.3%). The elements covered by the questionnaire concern the tangible and psychological aspects of what could motivate or prevent donation. Descriptive analyses (frequencies, means and standard deviations) were conduced. Results A comprehensive interpretation of the data shows the key roles played by school, figures of reference, peer groups, what the group shares and independent choice. Conclusion This study provides tangible recommendations for appropriate promotion strategies to dedicate to adolescents; they are an important target to involve in recruitment programmes in order to make them aware of blood donation a long time before they can actually give blood.