I’m always surprised by the changing nature of the questions on the blood donation form. Each time one gives blood there is a short form one must fill out. A few of the most recent gems below;
28. In the last 12 months have you been in juvenile detention, lockup, jail or prison for more than 72 hours?
72 hours in a jail is enough to put someone at risk for blood borne pathogens? I guess we all know something is wrong with the prison system but wow.
30. From 1980 through 1996 did you spend time that adds up to three months in the UK?
32. From 1980 to the present did you spend time that adds up to five years in Europe?
33. From 1980 to the present did you receive a blood transfusion in the UK?
I suspect the UK and Europe questions have to do with Mad Cow disease .
47. Have you ever had sexual contact with anyone who was born in or lived in Africa?
48. Have you ever been to Africa?
Those two were a surprise because I don’t recall seeing them on a previous questionnaire. Just visiting the continent is enough to raise a flag? Africa is worse for your health than Jail?
55. Have you ever been pregnant? If yes how many times?
This one was also a surprise. I have no idea why it would matter if you had ever been pregnant, nor the amount of children you’ve had.
Incidentally I am A- as is 6% of the US population.
Distribution of ABO and Rh Blood types
Population | O+ | A+ | B+ | AB+ | O− | A− | B− | AB− |
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Australia | 40% | 31% | 8% | 2% | 9% | 7% | 2% | 1% |
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Finland | 27% | 38% | 15% | 7% | 4% | 6% | 2% | 1% |
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Sweden | 32% | 37% | 10% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 2% | 1% |
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France | 36% | 37% | 9% | 3% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 1% |
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Korea, South | 27% | 34% | 27% | 11% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
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UK | 37% | 35% | 8% | 3% | 7% | 7% | 2% | 1% |
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USA | 38% | 34% | 9% | 3% | 7% | 6% | 2% | 1% |
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(Everyone in South Korea is RH Positive?)
Labels: Africa, Blood, England, Jail