[A study of sociocultural factors related to voluntary blood donation in the Americas]

To obtain baseline data for countries of the Americas on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to voluntary blood donation as well as on the current level and quality of services that blood banks provide to donors.The study was conducted in 15 countries in the Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. Technical cooperation for the study came from the Pan American Health Organization. A qualitative formative methodology was applied, utilizing interviews with donors, health workers, and members of the general public; direct observation; focus groups; knowledge tests; and a review of documents.Information was generated on people's knowledge of donation; their beliefs, perceptions, attitudes, and motivations; and their barriers to donating. Knowledge was also gained as to the best means for disseminating messages supporting voluntary donation.This information will serve as a foundation for designing a strategy in the countries of the Americas that is aimed at establishing and building the loyalty of voluntary blood donors. This strategy can support the implementation of changes needed in the care of donors, and it can also help in motivating donors to regularly return to donate blood.