Production of truths about blood donation: an analysis from the perspective of Foucault

Abstract

In different contexts, as well as in the blood donation process, truths are recreated, and the subject is constituted, creating himself as a subject in transformation. The production of truths is reflected
in blood donation practices, through the profound normalization and stigmatization of the processes that involve them and that have repercussions on the availability and quality of this essential product. The
objective of this study was to understand the configuration of regimes of truth in the conformation of blood donation practices, from the perspective of candidates for donation. The methodology adopted was a qualitative approach, with data collection carried out through semi-structured interviews, with 31 candidates for repeat donation, submitted to speech analysis. It was chosen, as a reference to the term ‘truth’, the analysis of Michel Foucault, as an element of constitution of the subject, product of multiple social practices. It was concluded that the blood donation process is imbued with a strong normalizing character, constituting a relevant element for conducting behaviors and producing truths, impacting on the dimensions achieved by these power relations in blood donation practices, under the gaze of those applying to do so.