A recent study revealed that 49 percent of women in Saudi Arabia do not donate blood because they find it difficult to access donation centers, while 35 percent of women refrain from donating blood due to fear of developing anemia.

For around 60 percent of males, however, the main obstacle remains lack of time.

The study, conducted by the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center at the University of King Saud bin Abdulaziz for Health Sciences, found that educational programs are essential for raising awareness and improving overall perception for blood donation.

More than half of participants had previously donated blood, while 39 percent of donors have donated more than once.

It also found donation more prevalent among males than females.