Attitudes underlying reluctance to donate blood.

Attitudes underlying reluctance to donate blood were examined in two samples, college and general public, by means of direct and indirect questionnaires. Results were highly consistent across samples and sexes, and indicated that personal and emotional concerns, such as fear of the needle, fear of the sight of blood, fear of dizziness, inconvenience, and possibly ill effects on health, contribute more heavily to reluctance than people can (or will) recognize. Forthright handling of these fears and concerns by blood collection agencies is advocated.