Voluntary blood donation preferences in China: A discrete choice experiment among experienced and inexperienced donors.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Due partly to an ageing population, China faces an increasingly dire blood shortage crisis requiring greater voluntary blood donations. A better understanding of blood donation preferences can inform blood donation policies and potentially increase donations. We used an online survey and discrete choice experiment to achieve our study objective: identify the most influential structural facilitators and barriers to voluntary blood donation in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we identified six structural attributes (travel time, venue, donation volume, paid leave, scheduling and gifts) that were hypothesized to influence voluntary blood donation; attribute selection was based on a literature review and qualitative interviews. Second, a d-efficient design with 36 choice sets and 9 blocks was developed. Participants were asked to complete four choice sets, and in each choice set, they were asked to choose from three options two voluntary blood donation scenarios and a 'Do not donate blood' option. Study participants were recruited through an online survey platform company in China. Voluntary blood donation preferences and preferences by blood donation history were estimated with random-parameter logit models and interaction terms. RESULTS: In 2022, 1185 individuals enrolled in the study. Most participants had college education (92%). Generally, participants preferred longer paid leave, lower blood donation volumes and gifts after donation. Based on interaction analyses, experienced and inexperienced donors exhibited similar preferences. CONCLUSION: Campaigns to increase voluntary blood donation rates in China should consider implementing paid leave after voluntary blood donation, lower blood donation volumes and small gifts conferred after donation.