Analysis of blood donor deferral in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Characteristics and causes

Objective: To analyse the rates and reasons for donor deferral at a blood bank in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and comprised data of all blood donors reporting for donation from January 2011 to December 2014 in the hospital's blood bank, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. Data was collected from the records maintained by the blood bank. Results: Out of the 46,370 blood donors, 4,035(8.7%) were deferred. Of them, 764(19%) were deferred because of persistent high pulse rate, 689(17%) poor veins, 488(12%) low blood pressure and 74(1.8%) because of low haemoglobin. Conclusion: Reasons for deferral may vary due to difference in socio-economic status, and cultural and environmental factors.