Less than one per cent of Nigerians, a minimum standard set by the WHO, donate blood. UGBOJA FELIX OJONUGWA takes a look at this unfortunate reality, the pervasive ignorance and skepticism around blood donation, its benefits and what should be done to encourage this culture of saving our lives and that of the recipients.
Blood is so important to the human body that without it, existence is completely impossible. Blood is a bodily fluid in animals (including humans) that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.
Other useful functions of blood include that of defending our body from infections and foreign bodies. It has specialised cells, such as platelets, which help the blood to clot (coagulate) when we are bleeding. It transports hormones – chemicals released by a cell in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells elsewhere in the body. It regulates our acidity (pH) levels. It regulates our body temperature. It plays a major role in sexual potency through what is medically known as its hydraulic function.
As important as the blood is to the body, there are situations that lead to its shortage. And when such shortages occur, the most effective medical solution is blood transfusion; the transfer of a screened and compatible blood type from the donor to the recipient.
Being involved in any form of accident that leads to physical injury and bleeding is one of the common causes of blood shortage. Other causes are severe illness, blood loss during complications at child birth, drop of blood level (PVC), especially those with sickle cell anaemia, and so on.
When it comes to blood donation, also referred to as blood transfusion, there are so many issues, myths and skepticisms expressed by people from all walks of life.
Some of the common questions asked by people when it comes to blood transfusion includes how safe it is? What will happen to them? Will they contract any disease from it? Will their behaviour change?
Ogechi Francis, a 29-year-old plumber revealed that he has never donated blood and would never do so because he believes that it is very dangerous and could lead to a fatality.
“No, I will not do it. Many people in my family have always advised me against it. I believe that even if I survive it, it can reduce my life span.” He said
While the opinion of Francis is definitely from an ignorant point of view, it unfortunately represents that of so many people.
One other skepticism expressed by many people is the fact that they may begin to behave like the donor.
This belief, it seems, stems from the saying that when one or a group of people behave in a certain way, especially negatively, it is attributed to the fact that it ‘runs in their blood’- as if to say that it is a family trait.
Surprisingly, this form of social perception is also carried over by many when it also comes to blood transfusion. Some people would not want to receive blood from others believing that it may cause them to behave the way the donors do, especially in cases where they do not even know who the donor is.
While speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, Dr Emem Alice, a private medical practitioner explained that blood may be thicker than water, but it cannot alter one’s DNA, or that of his or her children.
A person’s DNA, according to Dr Alice, is inherited from her/his parents via their gametes (sex cells). In other words, the sperm and egg of ones biological parents determine the DNA of a child, rather than blood. Having new blood introduced to your system will not affect your future children’s DNA because it will not alter your sex cells.
“Interestingly, if you have received a blood transfusion, you will carry the DNA of the donor in your blood stream for a time, depending on how much blood you received. Most of the new blood is composed of red blood cells, which do not contain genetic information. However, a few of the transfused cells will also be white blood cells, (the ones that fight off infection) and these cells do have a nucleus that carries DNA. Eventually, as a person recovers from whatever caused them to need a transfusion, they will begin to produce their own red and white blood cells again and the DNA from the donor will eventually disappear as the cells from the transfusion die off.”
If a person receives a transfusion just before or during pregnancy, Dr Alice stated that some of the new blood will be shared with the fetus via the uterus. However, even if the donor blood is present in the bloodstream of a fetus or baby for a time, the children’s DNA would not be altered and, as with the adult, the blood cells containing the donor DNA would eventually disappear.
In order to correct most of the misconceptions around blood transfusions, LEADERSHIP Sunday spoke with Dr Atta Okwute of Kogi state Specialist Hospital, Lokoja who said skepticism and fears emanate from erroneous beliefs, suspicions and misconceptions.
“Some people fear that something unpleasant will happen to them. Some fear that donating blood can lead to impotence, some fear it will even lead to death, and so on. All these fears are misguided and erroneous.”
These misconceptions and wrong suspicions about blood donating have, over the years, led to the loss of many lives in the hospitals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends blood donation from at least one per cent of a population. Sadly, this is a far cry in Nigeria, where the culture of blood donation is rarely exhibited.
Benefits Of Blood Donation
While many are also of the belief that the benefits of blood donation is one sided, Dr. Okwute corrected this impression by explaining that a blood donor is not only saving a life, but also improving his or her health.
Repeated blood donations, according to Dr Okwute, may help blood flow better, reduce viscosity and possibly help to limit damage to the lining of blood vessels which result in few arterial blockages (preserve cardiovascular health).
“Also, every blood donor, prior to donation gets the chance to check their blood pressure, hemoglobin level, temperature along with testing for infectious diseases like malaria, HIV, hepatitis, syphilis etc. It is like having a free medical check-up.” He said.
He also added that a regular blood donor stands a lesser risk of contracting terminal illnesses like cancer and heart attack, compared to those who do not donate blood at all.
“It prevents health risks associated with iron overload in the body. And that is one of the major causes of cancers. Donating blood also burns calories. About 65 calories is burnt per pint of blood donated, but this should by no means be recommended as a weight loss therapy,” he advised.
Are There Risks To Donating Blood?
To effectively deal with the fears surrounding blood donation, it is very important to inquire if there are any risks at all.
According to Dr Okwute, no death has been reported as a result of blood donation, and it is medically impossible for a blood transfusion to lead to death.
“With the new sterile and disposable instruments used for each donor, there’s no risk of contracting blood borne infections by donating blood. Blood donation is safe. But there are adverse reactions experienced by some donors which can be local or systemic reactions. For example, swelling at sight of venopuncture, pallor, sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, syncope, convulsions. These cases are only limited to some donors. Such experiences can not be generalised.”
In addition to this, Dr Okwute said there is little or no effect at all after donating blood if one takes extra four glasses of non- alcoholic liquids, eats healthy meals and considers adding iron- rich foods or supplements to their regular diets.
In terms of how regular one can donate blood, Dr Okwute made it clear that it varies
from days to months based on the quantity of blood donated, and the laws of the country where donation takes place. In Nigeria and the USA for example, one can donate blood again after 56 days or 8 weeks.
To reassure people about the safety of donating blood, Dr Okwute even recommends that one can start non strenuous activities after 5 hours of donating blood and strenuous activities like exercises after 12 hours of donation, which should of course come as a relief to a lot of people who believe that one could collapse or pass out from donating blood.
How To Encourage Blood Donation
To cure the ignorance associated with blood transfusion, there are several strategies recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which includes community sensitisation and mobilisation; one of the biggest strategies to increase the awareness about blood transfusion. It also includes involving traditional and religious leaders and incorporating many well meaning people with large followership both in the political and private community as ambassadors of blood transfusion programs. Also, creating blood donation programs in places of learning like secondary schools and higher institutions is a plus.
“Blood transfusion should be everybody’s business,” says Dr Okwute, “as no one can predict whether he or she would also need a transfusion someday.
Apart from the fact that one could probably be in need of blood someday, many stakeholders believe that the feeling that your blood donation saves a life or more should be more than enough motivation for people to donate always.
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