The experience of the Turkish Red Crescent blood banks in the 2023 Türkiye earthquake

Karaca A., Sağdur L., Günçıkan M. N., Yılmaz M., Sözmen N., Kınık K., ...Daha Fazla

TRANSFUSION MEDICINE, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-8, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/tme.13129
  • Dergi Adı: TRANSFUSION MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-8
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Aim

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the impact of a severe earthquake on blood donation as per blood safety and donation behaviour.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included a total of 263 779 whole-blood donors at the Turkish Red Crescent during two periods: before (25 January 2023 – 5 February 2023) and after (6 February 2023 – 17 February 2023) the earthquake that occurred on 6 February 2023. Demographic data describing the donors, donor types, the number of blood donations by province, blood donations by blood groups, hospital demand, and transfusion transmissible infection (TTI) rates according to donor type were evaluated.

Results

There was a 129% increase in blood donations after the earthquake. his increase was significant among female donors, younger age groups, and first-time donors. However, a significant increase in TTI rates was not detected in either first time donors or repeat donors.

Conclusion

Our study focuses on blood banking activities of the Turkish Red Crescent during the 2023 Türkiye earthquake. While previous disasters have shown excess blood collection, we emphasise the need for a balanced approach to avoid wastage and shortages. Our study emphasises the importance of efficient blood utilisation and the necessity of regular, voluntary blood donations to ensure a stable supply, especially for high-demand blood groups like O Rh (−).