# Public Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Blood Donation in Georgia

## TL;DR

This study explores public knowledge and attitudes toward blood donation in Georgia, finding that only a small percentage of participants have good knowledge or positive attitudes.

## Contribution

This is the first study to assess public knowledge and attitudes toward blood donation in Georgia using a social media survey.

## Key findings

- Only 35% of participants had good knowledge about blood donation.
- 38.4% of participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward blood donation.
- Health issues like anemia and hypotension were the most common reasons for not donating.

## Abstract

Blood donation is vital for saving lives and supporting healthcare systems worldwide. However, many countries, including Georgia, face challenges due to insufficient blood supplies. Despite its importance, there is limited data on public knowledge and attitudes toward blood donation in Georgia. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 385 participants through social media to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and the barriers they face regarding blood donation. Our findings showed that only 35% of participants had good knowledge, and just 38.4% demonstrated a positive attitude. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, residence, education level, and medical background were significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes. The most commonly reported reasons for not donating included health issues like anemia and hypotension (49.5%), lack of opportunity (29.2%), and unwillingness to donate (12.7%). Encouragingly, 83% of participants expressed willingness to donate blood in the future. As the first study of its kind in Georgia, these results emphasize the need for educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. Improving public understanding and attitudes could help translate this willingness into higher blood donation rates, contributing to a more reliable and sufficient blood supply in the country.