Are university students a favorable target group for blood donation campaigns?

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the willingness of university students regarding blood donation and to compare results among residents living in the Kayseri city center. METHODS Admission for blood donation after donor acquisition campaigns and the rates of repeated donation over a one-year period were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Between November 2006 and August 2008, a total of 29614 people were included in the study. After educational campaigns, the rate of admission for blood donation was 66% among university students, while it was only 29% among the city residents. Although the deferral rate and adverse events during donation were found to be higher in the student group, they had a higher repeated donation rate and higher return rate after a short message system. CONCLUSION University students appear to be good candidates for long-term regular blood donation. Use of a short message system to issue reminders about blood donation may be a reasonable method to replenish the blood supply.