SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND FACTORS RELATED TO BLOOD DONOR RETENTION: THE CASE OF THE OMAR BONGO ONDIMBA REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF MAKOKOU (CHROBOM), IN THE NORTH-EAST, GABON

Objective: In order to implement a targeted strategy during communication campaigns, this study defines the socio-demographic profile of blood donors and the factors that can promote their loyalty to blood donation in the northeast region of Gabon. Material And Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2021 and enrolled 252 blood donors with a mean age of 29.6 ± 7 years, ranging from 19 to 51 years. After an interview based on a pre-established pre-donation questionnaire, each donor deemed suitable underwent a sampling that was then analyzed through an infectious workup and a blood count (CBC). Data collected from the questionnaire were entered into a spreadsheet in Excel 2016 and processed with R software in its R Commander interface and results were considered significant if p < 0.05. Results: Using Pearsons Chi-square test of independence, this study indicated an association between blood donation and many sociodemographic parameters. Thus, being a former donor was statistically associated with firstly male gender, secondly being a parent, thirdly having a job, and finally being 30 years or older. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was able to establish that: Being a parent, Having a job and Being male, increased the probability of being a faithful blood donor. Conclusion:. The profile of the blood donor at the Omar Bongo Ondimba Regional Hospital of Makokou corresponds to A man of about 30 years old, single, unemployed, with at least one child coming for a family type donation and the factors of loyalty to blood donation are the male sex, the status of worker and that of being a family member.