Perceptions of public about Blood Transfusion in Allied hospital Faisalabad: A qualitative study

Background Blood donation and transfusion practices are very crucial for a health care system. This study aims to check the perceptions of Public about blood donation and transfusion practices in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Study Design and Methods The study used a qualitative exploratory design, conducting 20 semi-structured interviews with patients and attendees of the surgical and gynaecology unit at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, from April to June 2023. Using Random sampling technique, data was collected from both donors and non-donors. Then, data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis, which involved identifying patterns and themes within the data.

Initial analysis revealed various codes which were ultimately reduced to five main themes with their subthemes namely 1. Personal Factors with sub-themes (1a) Blood donation priorities, (1b) Family influence and Physical Attributes of donor, (1c) Socio economic status, (1d) Gender roles, 2. Consequences of transfusion and Donation; sub-themes (2a) Allergic reaction, (2b) Weight changes after Blood Donation, 3. Motivating Factors for Blood Donation; sub-themes (3a) Health Benefits, (3b) Humanitarian Factors, 4. Restriction Factors for Blood Donation; sub-themes (4a) Selling of Donated Blood, (4b) Substandard Blood Bank, (4c) Wasting of Donated Blood and 5. Awareness regarding blood donation.

This study shows that religion, personal beliefs, family and friends, and socioeconomic status influence willingness of a person to donate. However, low understanding of benefits and risks is prevalent among Pakistanis, highlighting the need for counselling and health education activities. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement none Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: ETHICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE FAISALABAD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, PAKISTAN approved I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Footnotes Attribution to Work. NA Gave study Concept and design, routine collection of data, drafting the article. HS Analysis and Interpretation of data, routine collection of data, providing writing. assistance. ANS Substantial acquisition of data for the study, routine data collection, writing assistance. Mahnoor Routine collection of data, writing assistance, approving final version for submission. AA General Supervision of research. (All data was collected from Allied Hospital Faisalabad under supervision of Health Professions Education and Research Department in Faisalabad Medical University.) Data Availability All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript