Effectiveness of a cognitive intervention in raising awareness of voluntary blood donation among residents in Zibo, China

This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive intervention in enhancing public awareness of voluntary blood donation among residents in Zibo, China. The intervention included online health education through media platforms, educational lectures delivered by invited experts and comprehensive care with psychological counseling services provided at blood donation sites. The findings offer valuable insights for developing strategies to promote voluntary blood donation. A questionnaire survey was conducted among residents of Zibo, China in May 2024. Following the intervention, a subsequent questionnaire survey was administered in October. Changes in awareness of voluntary blood donation before and after the intervention were analyzed using the χ² test. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing donors's adequate knowledge of voluntary blood donation. In May 2024, 26.78% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge of voluntary blood donation. Factors influencing overall awareness included gender, age, identity, and education level. After the intervention, the overall adequate awareness rate of voluntary blood donation increased significantly (26.78% vs 59.60%; χ² = 198.64, P < .001). The most notable improvement was observed in awareness of age restrictions for blood donation (35.02% vs 84.41%; χ² = 459.96, P < .001). In conclusion, the cognitive intervention significantly improved public awareness of voluntary blood donation. These findings support the implementation of targeted educational strategies to enhance public engagement and ensure a sustainable blood donor pool.