Investigation of Motivations for non-remunerated Blood Donation

Overview

The paper deals with the results of an investigation focused on motivation for non-remunerated BloodDonation which were obtained by enquiries in a group of 400 blood donors in the Cheb DistrictTransfusion Station. The clients were asked to give three reasons why they are blood donors. The mostfrequent motive was an effort to help sick people. This motive was mentioned by almost all respondentsand accounted for one third of all given motives. Other motives suggested possible differences betweendonor groups by sex, age and occupation. A strong motive was a check of the health status before bloodcollection, „fatality“, i.e. admission of the possibility that the donor may one day be in a position to needblood and the feeling of paying a debt, because the donor or somebody of his close relatives or friendsneeded blood in the past. Medium strong motives in young people regardless of sex and in the group ofwomen was the desire to attain self-respect by a noble deed: in men a stronger motive was one day offwith full pay. Very weak were motives such as gaining respect of the partner, respect of other people,tax reductions for each batch of donated blood and advantages offered to donors by insurancecompanies. The investigation was made in an attempt to help public relations workers to elaboratematerials and to increase the effectiveness of communication with potential donors.

Key words:
blood donation, motivation of donors, propagation, communication with potential donors