BREAKING THE STIGMA; OVERCOMING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BLOOD DONATION IN CAMEROON

Reasons of shortage of blood in Cameroon

1. - Some people look at donating blood as a taboo. They associate it with human sacrifice,
2. -They fear that the tests taken on people before they donate blood can reveal that they are positive which most of them fear.
3. -Others fear that their blood supply will dwindle and lead them to death.
4. -some people do not want to donate blood because of the corruption at hospitals. Medical workers sell blood to patients, yet they get it freely from donors. That discourages people from donating blood.
5. - Another problem causing shortage of blood is interruptions in the supply of blood donor kits and testing reagents in the process of blood collection,
6. -some Cameroonians believe that if they give blood, the recipient will receive any good luck and success they have had in life
7. -Others say God will punish them if they donate blood to an evil person
8. -A lack of information and discouraging cultural and religious beliefs about blood donation hinder many people from donating blood.
9. -Many believe that, the soul resides in blood. For them, giving blood means losing their soul
10. - According to others, the fear of people using blood for rituals and other spiritual purposes served as a disincentive for people to donate blood.
11. -Some communities belief that, blood donors will not be able to procreate after donating or will be weak and probably die soon.
12. -While many fear that they will get sick or die if they donate blood.

Motivational factors of blood donation

• Humanism, Compassion and friendship are great factors that influences blood donation
• Donors feel satisfied and motivated to return when they receive good care.
• Some people say donating blood makes them feel like a hero.
• Some donate because they belief someone will be proud of them if they donate.
• While others donate because of the compensation they receive at the end.
• Some people are motivated to donate blood when someone they know is in need of the donors endorsed.
• Encouragements from partner, peers and family are factors that can motivate the donors to donate blood.
• Others donate blood in order to strengthen their self-esteem and self-confidence.
• To gain recognition and gratitude from the society is an important factor that influences blood donation.

• When someone perceive blood donation as a duty, it plays an important role for that person to always love to donate blood.
• A great significant level of consciousness helps boost the intention for someone to donate blood.
• Mobile blood donation team can also be place in schools, church and parks in order to save time and stress.
• To get medical test done such as haemoglobin level, blood type and screening for transmissible infections act as an important factor to boost people to donate blood.

• -Thank you letters is also one of the factors that can motivate the donors to donate again.
• The opportunity to receive tickets, t-shirt for public transport, Cinema and others act as a motivational factor for blood donation among young people.
• The desire to help a person in need, especially a relative or a friend is also one of the motivational factors.
• Friendly attitude of the staffs is one of the factors that can encourage donors to come next time and donate blood.

Advantages of blood donation

The following are surprising benefits for donating blood,

-It helps for free health screening such as; screening for transmissible infections

-It helps to boost a healthier heart and vascular system.

-It helps to promote a happier and long life.

Materials Use for Blood Donation

The equipment’s here include; Donor couches, blood pressure machine, mixers, blood bag tube sealers, blood transportation boxes, gloves, tourniquet, tube holder and blood bank refrigerators,

Conclusion

There are those who think that you take their blood and do witchcraft with it and so they cannot donate their blood. There are those with religious beliefs that you cannot take blood from one person and give to the next person. Those kinds of people will not want to donate blood since they would not even receive it. And so, we want to encourage our young people to step forward and take leadership roles in promoting health in our nation through blood donation.

With Cameroon battling a separatist crisis in two western regions, Boko Haram attacks in the north and occasional spillover of violence from the Central African Republic, the government says the need for blood to treat wounded civilians and fighters is higher than ever.