Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2011, 2(1):146-151

Lifestyle of blood donors

Jarmila Winklerová^*, Darja Jarošová

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the lifestyle of active blood donors and to compare selected aspects of life style between men and women.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was undertaken in November 2009 on hematology-transfusion department of Hospital with the policlinics Karvina - Raj. The group included 624 respondents (86 women, 538 men). Data were collected by using nonstandard questionnaire established for the purpose of the inquiry. Individual items were focused on selected aspects of individual lifestyle of blood donors.

Results: BMI values were significantly higher in men than in women. Respondents did not belong to a group of people with risky sexual behavior. Approximately equivalent results between men and women were in the areas of dietary, consuming fruits, vegetables, sweets and coffee. Women reported higher consumption of low fat products, men drank larger amounts of fluid daily, including alcoholic beverages. In smoking of tobacco products were both groups comparable. More men have devoted recreational sport more time and with greater frequency than women, nearly a quarter of donors, however, does not engage in any sport. Longer sleep and rest was reported by more women, almost all donors have underwent regular preventive examinations.

Conclusion: From the research resulted that the lifestyle of the majority of respondents - active blood donors did not differ significantly from the normal way of life of people in the region. In accordance with World survey about health in the Czech Republic (2004) it was confirmed that the widespread risk factor was being overweight, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Keywords: lifestyle, blood donors, hematology-transfusion department, questionnaire

Published: March 30, 2011  Show citation