OBJECTIVES: Medical therapeutic blood products, such as plasma-derived drugs, play a crucial role in health care. This research aims to reveal the motive for donating plasma among donors and to examine the changes in laboratory results during the donation.

METHODS: The retrospective research was conducted in a plasma centre in Hungary between 01.01.2019. and 30.12.2022(n=100). Scope of collected data: gender, haemoglobin (HGB), thrombocyte (PLT) hematocrit (HTC), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), total protein level, after the first (1st), fifth (5th) and fifteenth (15th) plasma donation. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among donors aged 18-65 (n=200). The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, information sources, number of weekly plasma donations and motivation. Descriptive statistical analysis and repeated ANOVA (p<0.05) were performed using SPSS 28.0 software.

RESULTS: The RBC count (1st: 4.94 T/L; 5th: 4.77 T/L; 15th: 4.68 T/L), the WBC count (1st: 6.79 G/L; 5th: 6.61 G/L; 15th: 6.54 G/L and PLT count (1st: 199.57 G/L; 5th: 192.56 G/L; 15th: 186.15 G/L) decreased significantly (p<0.001), but remained within the normal range. The level of HMG of women (1: 130 G/L; 15: 127 G/L) (p<0.001) and men (1: 145.6 G/L; 15: 137.1 G/L) significantly decreased (p<0.001). Total plasma protein (1st: 7.7 G/L; 5th: 7.1 G/L; 15th: 6.7 G/L) also decreased (p<0.001) but remained in the normal range. The primary sources of information comprise a friend (41.5%) and the Internet (36%). The main motive is helping others (70%) and benefits (54%). The main motive for later plasma donation is more benefits (67.5%). 45.5% of respondents plan to donate plasma 3-4 times a month, 42% at most.

CONCLUSIONS: All donor parameters tested decreased during donation but remained within the normal range. The benefits are still a source of motivation.