title: Complications related to blood donation: A multicenter study of the prevalence and influencing factors in voluntary blood donation camps in Karnataka, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complications associated with blood donation significantly lower odds of subsequent donations. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of complications related to blood donation, identify the influencing factors, and come up with suggestions for minimizing discomfort to donors and making outdoor voluntary blood donation camps safer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study covered 181 blood donation camps organized by Sankalp India Foundation where 16 blood banks participated from 01-04-2011 to 01-08-2014 in Karnataka. Uniform protocols for donor selection, predonation preparation, counseling, postdonation care, and refreshments were used. The postdonation complications were recorded on a form immediately, after they were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed 995 (3.2%) complications in 30,928 whole blood donations. Of these 884 (2.86%) mild, 77 (0.25%) moderate, and 5 (0.02%) severe complications were observed. Local symptoms (blood outside vessels, pain, and allergy) contributed 1.0%, and generalized symptoms (vasovagal reaction) contributed 2.2% to all the complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed 322 complications for every 10,000 donations. Since 27 out of every 10000 experience moderate and severe complication, the readiness to manage complications is crucial. Women donors, young donors, and donors with a lower weight are at a significantly greater risk of experiencing complications, highlighting the need for specific guidelines for the management of higher risk donor groups. Complications varied significantly between various blood banks. Predonation hydration was effective in limiting complications with generalized symptoms. We recommend a robust donor hemovigilance program for voluntary blood donation for monitoring complications and enable assessment of effectiveness and implementation of appropriate interventions.
authors.affiliation: Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Rajat Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Transfusion Medicine Center, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Sundar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Periyavan
authors.affiliation: Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhanya
authors.affiliation: Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Lalith G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.affiliation: Technology Team, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sedai
authors.affiliation: Emergency Team, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Kumari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ankita
authors.affiliation: Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Arpit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaish
authors.affiliation: Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Emergency Team, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Prabha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gowda
keywords: Blood donation; India; blood donation camps; blood donors; blood safety; complications; hematoma; hemovigilance; vasovagal syncope; voluntary blood donation