Self-perceived health status in blood donors

Background. Relationships between self-perceived health status and mortality, morbidity, disability and health care utilisation have been well established. The self-perceived health status of blood donors has, however, never been assessed. Materials and methods. Using the Short-Form 12 questionnaire, we assessed self-perceived health status in a sample of blood donors. Results. The mean values for the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score were similar for males and females, being 54 versus 54.12, respectively. There was, however, a gender difference for the Mental Component Summary (MCS) score, with women reporting a lower mean score. Young blood donors had the lowest mean score for the MCS, without gender differences. In all the other age categories, males had higher scores. Education did not seem to be as relevant as previously indicated in the literature. Our sample of blood donors included a certain number of overweight and obese subjects. The PCS scores were lowest in obese males and females. The highest MCS score was found in the group of overweight males. Conclusion. Further research in this selected population could be indicated as a new way to improve understanding of self-perceived health status and the determinants of the intention to become or to remain a blood donor.