PERFIL SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO E EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE CANDIDATOS DE A DOAÇÃO DE SANGUE

Introduction: One of the challenges of health facilities is to conserve the blood specimen collection, once donors represent only 1.8% of the Brazilian population. Thus, it is extremely important the registered nurse’s role in the awareness, attraction, and volunteer donor screening. Objectives: Identify the epidemiological representation from applicants to the offering/donation of blood at the Hemotherapy Service of a hospital in Southern region of Minas Gerais. Material and Methods: We carried out a retrospective, descriptive study using a quantitative approach. In 2011, we carried out at the Hemotherapy Service database a search for the medical files of blood donation candidates. The study sample was composed of 2,680 donors’ medical records. In order to analyze data, we used a spreadsheet from Microsoft Excel Windows 7 Ultimate TM , 2011. Data are presented as absolute numbers and percentage in tables and graphs. Results: It was observed that 82% candidates were qualified to blood donation. Males were the most prevalent gender with ages ranging from 18 to 29, as well as the recurrent donors. Given the donor profile of this research, it is worth mentioning the importance of developing educational campaigns regarding blood donation in order to decrease the number of unqualified blood donors, improving the quality of the candidates. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the importance of awareness campaigns regarding the ideal characteristics for those who want to donate blood, in order to increase the qualified blood donators.