Factors Leading to Pre-Donation Deferment in Blood Donors at a Tertiary Care Facility: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Blood donation is a crucial component of healthcare systems globally. Identifying the reasons for deferring individuals willing to donate blood is essential for improving donation practices. This study aimed to analyze deferral cases to support the practice of voluntary blood donation within the healthcare framework for fostering voluntary donation, ensuring safe blood and blood products for recipients, safeguarding donor health, and developing strategies to retain deferred but motivated donors. Materials and Methods: Conducted as a prospective observational study, all whole blood donors underwent comprehensive history and physical examination. Donors were either accepted or deferred following standard blood donor guidelines. Data from 345 deferred individuals were subsequently analyzed. Results: The deferral ratio between males and females was 3.93:1, with 275 (79.71%) males and 70 (20.21%) females deferred. The highest percentage of temporary deferrals was noted in the 21–30 years age group (37.10%), while the highest rate of permanent deferrals was observed in the 41–50 years age group (6.09%). Of the total deferrals, 302 (87.54%) were temporary, while 43 (12.46%) were permanent. Low hemoglobin was the most common cause (43.13% of deferrals). Conclusion: Low hemoglobin was the primary reason for deferrals. Most deferrals were temporary and could be managed or reversed. Encouraging these deferred individuals to return to the donor pool can enhance the availability of this life-saving resource. Additionally, analyzing deferral data provides insights that can expand blood donation efforts, save lives, and increase public awareness.