Female Contribution in Blood Donation and Alternatives: Fact & Factual
Dharmesh Chandra Sharma *
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Arun Jain
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Poonam Woike
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Sunita Rai
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Lokesh Tripathi
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Jyoti Bindal
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
Rajesh Gaur
Department of Pathology, G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Blood can neither be manufactured nor can be procured from other creatures and can only be taken from healthy human beings between the ages 18-65 years for providing safe blood/component to the needy human beings. So, equal participation from males and females should be an ideal situation.
Aims of Study: This study aims at elaborating the contribution of female participation in voluntary blood donation in developing countries.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data of blood donors, visiting at the blood bank, J. A hospital, Gwalior from 2004-2014 for blood donation were retrieved, compiled and analyzed on gender basis.
Results: A total number of 1, 37,767 donors donated blood during the above mentioned period, 94,729 (68.8%) were voluntary and 43,038 (31.2%) were relative donors (p= 0.00000). Proportion of male vs. female blood donation was found to be 1, 32,470 (96.16%) & 5,297 (3.84%) respectively and we found a statistically significant difference in blood donation rate between males and females p<0.00001.
Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that female participation in Gwalior, India is significantly lower as compared to findings from developed countries. There is a need to educate the female population to address the negative perceptions against blood donation and the importance of blood donation.
Keywords: Female, contribution, blood donors