Blood donation practices among medical students-A single centre study based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Background: India faces a significant blood supply-demand gap, with an annual shortage of one million units. Addressing this issue requires early education and motivation for blood donation, especially among young individuals. Medical students, due to their exposure to healthcare settings and influence in society, are seen as ideal candidates to promote voluntary blood donation. Methodology: This study surveyed 482 MBBS students from a medical college in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, divided into three groups based on their admission year-2024, 2023, and 2022 batches. Data were collected through online questionnaires and included demographic information, knowledge about blood donation, and donation practices. Statistical analyses were performed using Google Sheets and SPSS software. Results: Students from senior batches displayed better knowledge and practices regarding blood donation. The 2022 batch who had actively participated in organizing blood donation camp had the highest percentage of students who visited blood centers (45.8%) and participated in organizing blood donation camps (27.1%). Common reasons for not donating included health issues, fear, and lack of awareness, with 52.79% reporting no specific reason. Regular blood donors were rare, with only two students donating blood thrice, both from the 2022 batch. The most common motivations for donation were moral duty and self-satisfaction. Discussion: Awareness of blood donation improved with seniority, likely due to increased exposure to healthcare environments and participation in camps. The findings align with previous studies indicating a need for awareness campaigns to reduce donation deferrals caused by low hemoglobin, underweight status, and age restrictions. Active involvement in blood donation camps significantly increased the likelihood of students donating regularly. Conclusion: Involving medical students in blood donation activities fosters greater awareness and participation. Early exposure to blood donation through educational initiatives and voluntary camps can help bridge the demand-supply gap and encourage lifelong habits of altruistic blood donation.