title: The acceptability of volunteer, repeat blood donations in a hospital setting in the Adamaoua region of Cameroon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The knowledge of factors that may influence blood donation in Cameroon is limited. The objectives of this study are to assess the characteristics of previous and potential blood donors by exploring the religious beliefs, and knowledge and understanding of blood donations among individuals present at a district hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted among consenting, randomly selected 18 years or older community members present at a district hospital in the Adamaoua region during October and November 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-eight per cent (48/49) of the individuals present at this district hospital had heard of blood transfusions. Forty-seven per cent (23/49) had not previously been asked to donate blood; however, 94% (44/47) said that they would donate if given the opportunity. Thirty-three per cent (16/49) had previously donated blood to family members or for replacement, and 81% of these said they would repeat donations. The majority of both donors and non-donors were motivated to donate blood for altruistic reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that community members present at this district hospital in Cameroon may be recruited for repeat blood donations. Although the altruistic motivation to donate blood suggests that donors could be recruited from a district hospital population, targeted information about blood donations and accessible blood transfusion services need to be put in place. The study may add to the understanding of the preconditions for blood donations and the possibility to establish sustainable blood transfusion services in the Adamaoua region in Cameroon.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rolseth
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stange
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adamou
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roald
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Danki-Sillong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jourdan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002163:Cameroon; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014838:Volunteers
keywords: Africa; attitude; blood donors; knowledge; motivation