Blood donor behaviour in Greece: implications for health policy.

Blood donation behaviour was studied in 809 residents of the Greater Athens area to identify socio-economic and attitudinal factors and level of knowledge about blood donation related to donor behaviour. The sample was randomly selected and consisted of men and women aged 18-65, the legally defined age for donation. According to stepwise regression analysis, blood donation (40.8% of the study population) was found to be correlated with gender, place of birth, occupation and knowledge about donation. Donors were more likely to be men than women; students and military recruits than professionals and scientists; and those with higher knowledge scores regarding donation. In our factor analysis of the social attitudes related to blood donation, three factors emerged as important regarding donation: health-related incentives for the donor, structural incentives (organization of blood donation education and management of facilities) and the creation of social and economic incentives. With respect to the affective measures those who expressed feelings of guilt when presented with hypothetical, emotionally charged situations dramatizing the need for donor blood were more likely to be donors. The results of the data are discussed within a larger socio-cultural context and suggestions for health policy are made.

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS of residents of greater Athens.

A prospective research project on health education about AIDS is being conducted in the Greater Athens area. In the first phase of the project, information was collected concerning the knowledge and attitudes about AIDS of a sample of the population. The results indicated that, in general, the population was moderately well informed about AIDS. The population groups who were best informed were the females, those with a higher level of education and a longer period of urban residence, and those in the occupational category merchants/sales personnel. Three attitudinal categories were identified which could be characterized as discrimination, stigmatization and fear of those affected by AIDS. These attitudes were linked respectively to: (1) approval of the enforcement of special measures, (2) stigmatizing of persons, behaviours and districts and (3) fear that AIDS comprises a major social threat. The attitudes expressed by restrictive measures towards those affected and stigmatization were associated with a low level of knowledge about most aspects of AIDS. Health education programmes directed at the population in the districts studied should take into account the findings of this study.