Blood Drive Initiative: June 2009

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BLOOD DONATION

Psychology which is the study of the mind is derived from Psyche “breath, spirit and soul” and logia, - ‘study of’ it’s an academic and applied disciplined involving the scientific study of human mental functions and behaviour. Occasionally, in addition or opposition to scientific method it also relies on symbolic interpretation and critical analysis, psychology also involves perception, cognition, emotion, cognition, personality, behaviour and interpersonal relationships.
Psychological knowledge is applied to various spheres of human activity. Including issues relating to every day life – such as family, education and employment – and to treatment of mental health problems. Psychologists attempts to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behaviour, while also exploring the underlying physiological and neurological processes. Psychology includes many sub fields of study and application concerned with such areas as human development, sport, health, industry, media and law.
Of great importance is the area of health to the topic in question ‘psychology of blood donation’. However the concept below give us an idea of the topic
Many at times! When we sight blood or observe a blood donation exercise so many things comes to our mind among which are:
 The sacredness of blood, feeling of being irritated, imagination of the victims or donor’s pains
 The thought that someone is saving life (blood donation)
As you hold your horse in the middle of thought so many question flip through your mind depending on your nature (temperament) and your passion among which are: Is it really painful? Do I have enough blood to donate? What will the blood be use for? What will happen to me after donation, what if I’m tested HIV positive or hepatitis positive? Among others.
As you take a step closer to the donor and ask about his or her feeling? The likely answers you hear are: ‘even though I was scared at first, it is painless and above all I’m joyful saving at least a life’. Seeing the similes and the fact that nothing happened(no complication) to the donors on a blood drive you are likely to donate.

Educatively, blood donation is the process involve when an healthy individual voluntarily allow blood to be drawn from his arm. The procedure entails wrapping the upper arm superior to the cubital fossa with a tourniquet to increase the pressure after the donor must have laid in a supine position on the couch. The needle is inserted into the median cubital vein on the inside of the elbow after it must have being sterilized with antiseptics (methylated spirit)
The blood is then allowed to naturally flow into the blood bag. The medical laboratory scientist ensures the donor is fit for donation (i.e. meets all the requirement). It is patient to know that in every seven people entering a hospital one person needs blood;
 Someone needs blood every two seconds as there is no substitute for blood
 One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives
 WHO says 5% of a country’s population must donate blood to ensure ample blood supplies.
 Nigeria needs about 1.2million unit of blood but only 62,381 under have been donated in the past years says NBTS.
 Females receive 53% of blood transfusions: male receive 47%
 Globally, more than half a million women die each year during pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period.
 99% of them in the developing word.
 Severe bleeding among others cause an estimated 25% of those deaths.
 It safe for donors and recipient.
Knowing and understanding the facts above, why the hell should we not give others a second chance at life! Knowing victim never prayed for it, if you say you cannot be a victim what about your wife during labour, relatives in accident emergencies to mention but a few?
Though often encountered, people’s excuses are: the size of the needle, no incentive (money), poor nutrition, bad economy, I’ve never thought to about it, I’m too busy, fear of the procedure, discovering of secondary illness, not interested religion and so on
Sincerely, are this excuses enough to let another life GO? If no, then take a step by donating just a pint of blood. It about less than an hour (10min) of your time. It’s about a life. Work on your mindset, work on your psychology. Keep preaching the gospel to save three lives by donating just a pint of blood.
AJANI OLUMIDE FAITH
Comrado174@yahoo.com(08034388216)
Blood drive initiative
www.bdinitiative .blogspot.com