A Comparison of the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Motivation Towards Blood Donation Among Albanian, Saudi and Turkish Citizens

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Blood donation is a remarkably safe medical procedure. However, it is affected by attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge level. A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey was carried out in Albania, KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Turkey to understand and identify: (1) the factors that influence blood donation, and stop people from blood donation, (2) the behavior and approach of the people towards blood donation (3) the knowledge level among donors and non-donors, and (4) the blood donation-related misconceptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This search was conducted through online surveys using Google Forms, which were shared through social media platforms, ie, Facebook, WhatsApp, Gmail, etc. A self-administered questionnaire form was shared to random people through social media platforms and 1281 responses were received. RESULTS: A total of 1281 forms were filled and submitted through Google Forms. Among these answers, 858 were from Albania, 273 were from KSA, 90 were from Turkey, and the remaining was from other countries. According to the answers, only 32% people were blood donors in Albania compared to 46% in KSA and Turkey. The factors primarily encouraging the people in Albania, Turkey, and KSA to donate blood included intention to help others in need, save lives, and help their family members. The primary reasons preventing people from blood donation included that they were not asked and some medical reasons. In Albania 88.6% would donate if asked, compared to 86% in KSA and in 77.7% in Turkey 77.7%. CONCLUSION: Despite considerable differences in the culture and demographics of the three countries, several common factors emerged from the surveys. Some of these results reflected an encouraging attitude toward blood donation. Further future planning with emphasis on educational programs and more organizations of donor recruitment campaigns can increase blood donations to fulfill the patients’ needs in these countries.