Sociodemographic profile, motivations, and barriers of blood donors: a cross-sectional study

Introduction – Blood donation is essential for the sustainability of healthcare systems; however, donor recruitment and retention remain a challenge. This study analyses the sociodemographic profile, motivations, barriers, and perceived recognition among blood donors at Unidade Local de Saúde do Arco Ribeirinho (ULSAR), Portugal. Methods – A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between September and December 2023, involving 627 blood donors who completed a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square tests, Fisher’s Exact tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed. To control for type I error associated with multiple comparisons, Bonferroni corrections were applied. Results – Male donors slightly predominated (52.9%). The mean age of the overall sample was 42.3 years (SD=11.95). Altruism (74.3%) emerged as the primary motivation, with significant sex differences; women were more altruistically motivated and more responsive to media appeals. Major barriers included lack of time (42.7%), insufficient employer support (22.0%), and fear of needles (16.4%). Younger donors demonstrated lower retention rates, emphasizing a need for targeted communication. Only 56.9% of donors felt sufficiently recognized, highlighting a considerable dissatisfaction with institutional acknowledgement. Conclusion – Tailored interventions addressing specific motivations, barriers, and demographic challenges are essential not only to strengthen the retention of current donors but also to promote the recruitment of new donors, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the blood supply.