An Empirical Study on University Students' Beliefs, Behaviors, and Perceptions regarding Blood Donation in Bangladesh

Blood donation is crucial to healthcare systems worldwide; nevertheless, voluntary participation is inadequate, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study seeks to explore the attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of university students regarding blood donation in Bangladesh. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from 40 students at a leading private university in Bangladesh through surveys, in-depth interviews (IDI), and focus group discussions (FGD). The study results reveal several factors affecting students' propensity to donate blood, including moral obligations, spiritual beliefs, and social responsibility. Misperceptions about health concerns and practical obstacles, such as needle fear and the inconvenient locations of donation centers, were identified as deterrents to participation. Although most students view blood donation as a moral obligation and a means of enhancing community welfare, hesitation often arises from apprehension over physical pain and misconceptions. In this regard, students may be classified into three behavioural categories: regular donors, reluctant non-donors, and occasional donors, reflecting the varied motives behind their behaviours. The theories of 'Symbolic Interactionism' and the 'Looking Glass Self' are pertinent here as they highlight the impact of social interactions and self-perception on students' choices to participate in blood donation. This study indicates that raising awareness, addressing misunderstandings, and improving access to donation centers could substantially boost voluntary blood donation among university students. The study findings enhance comprehension of the factors influencing blood donation behaviors and provide valuable insights for fostering a more sustainable blood donation culture in Bangladesh, and hence contribute academically to the fields of medical sociology, medical anthropology, public health and medical science.