Conhecimento de adolescentes sobre a doação de sangue

Abstract

The objective was to understand and evaluate the profile of high school adolescents regarding blood donation. This is a cross-sectional study, with a quantita-tive approach, carried out in a public education institution located in a municipality in the interior of Mato Grosso, in the Brazilian Amazon. 114 teenagers aged between 15 and 19 participated in the research. Collection took place in 2023 through a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the EpiInfo program. The majority of adolescents were female (57.9%); the age prevalence was 17 years; only 8 of these have already donated blood. The main reason cited for the lack of interest in donating was the lack of incentive (69%), fear of getting sick during the donation, in addition to culturally perpetrated myths and taboos. Regarding knowledge, in general, the results showed gaps among adolescents in several aspects related to the blood donation process, such as lack of support from legal guardians, stressful lifestyle, day-to-day rush, divergence of interest between parents and teenagers. There is a perceived need to bring this topic to educational institutions, in order to instigate solidarity on the subject.