Enhancing blood availability in Latin America: A study on public perceptions and barriers to blood donation in Guatemala during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study explores public perceptions and the barriers to voluntary blood donation during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala, a country with one of the lowest voluntary donation rates in Latin America. We additionally aimed to identify the population factors influencing blood donation behavior and to inform strategies for enhancing blood availability in the region. Between August and September 2020, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted using purposive sampling. Respondents were asked about their donation history, awareness of donation processes, preferences, and barriers and motivators for blood donation. Data collection included quantitative and qualitative data. Comparative analyses by gender, age, and education level were performed and regression models were used to identify predictors of blood donation behavior. Thematic content analysis was applied to open-ended responses. Among 1141 respondents, 53.5% reported a history of previous blood donation, with the majority occurring via referred donations to family or friends (78.5%). Key factors such as male gender, older age, and higher education correlated with a higher likelihood of previous donation. Familiarity with donation centers and willingness to donate strongly influenced donation behavior. Despite 89% of never donors expressing willingness to donate, barriers like limited access to donation centers, insufficient information, and concerns over hygiene and safety were prevalent. This study highlights the significant public willingness to donate blood in Guatemala, but identified key barriers that must be addressed. Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted initiatives to improve blood availability in Guatemala and across Latin America, particularly during health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,.