Emotional-motivational barriers to blood donation among Togolese adults: a structural approach

BackgroundAlthough the number of blood donors has been rapidly increasing in Togo since 2003, it is nevertheless insufficient to cover the demand. ObjectivesTo increase needed blood donation in Togo, it is necessary to understand why most people are reluctant to do it. MethodsA sample of 400 adult volunteers in Lome, mostly university educated, rated, on a scale of 0-10, the relevance to them of a comprehensive list of reasons that might deter people from donating blood. The ratings of 250 participants were subjected to factor analysis, and the resulting factorial structure was confirmed on the ratings of the other 150 participants. ResultsThe resulting six factors were labelled (in order of their ratings of a representative sample of items): Lack of Courage and Lack of Information (mean 5 center dot 43 of 10), Concerns about the Use of Blood (4 center dot 72), Risk Aversion (4 center dot 37), Fear of Medical Settings (2 center dot 41), Conformity with Tradition (1 center dot 88) and Indifference to Others and Hostility to the Procedure (1 center dot 69). ConclusionTo increase blood donation, a public information campaign should address the emotional-motivational barriers found even in the most educated segment of Togolese society.