(P-BC-28) Educational Program: Donation Model in Uruguay

Educating young people and children about voluntary blood donation encourages the development of altruistic habits, helps eliminate negative myths and stereotypes about blood donation and has a positive impact on the future, increasing the availability of this resource and helping to save lives. In 2011, Uruguay created the Educational Program (PE) with the objective of attracting and raising awareness among young students about voluntary and altruistic donation that is little known in the population, less than 5%.

Study

Design/Methods:

Children between 10-12 old and Youth 16-18 old were selected from public and private educational institutions throughout the country. The selection is based on the curriculum of students of these ages, as they cover topics related to the circulatory system and blood. The educational institutions and the Hemocentro (HC) arrange a meeting between the authorities of the institution and the HC team, where the objectives of the program and the work modality are explained. After that, students begin an educational program that includes phases: Phase 1: a visit and tour of the HC facilities so that they can see the entire process of blood management from donation to storage. In addition, the students create a video, which will be disseminated on social networks with the objective of inviting and raising awareness in the community about the voluntary donation. Phase 2: At the end of the visit, students are taken on a bus tour of the places of interest in Punta del Este. Phase three: Six weeks later, the massive mobile collection is organized and the Hemobus (mobile blood unit) collects outside the educational institution where family and acquaintances are summoned by the students

Results/Findings:

Since its inception in 2011, our educational program has made significant strides. By December 2023, we have successfully engaged 171 educational institutions, resulting in 440 blood collections drives. On average, each campaign yields 70 units of blood, collected from various regions across the country. This program accounts for 21% of mobile voluntary donations.

Conclusions:

Since the implementation of the educational program we have seen an increase in the rate of voluntary donors reaching 21%, this affirms that an important cultural change is taking place in relation to voluntary donation. Furthermore, we have managed to lower the average age of donors since children and young people engage with their family environment and bring them closer to donating blood, supported by the knowledge acquired due to the link between educational institutions and the blood center. We have evidence that the program has achieved a strong cultural and educational impact since the group that participated at the beginning in 2011 have been loyal donors to the institution.