Changing trend in demographic characteristics of voluntary blood donors in Shandong, China / 中国输血杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To analyze the changes in demographic profile of voluntary blood donors from 2012 to 2019 in Shandong, so as to provide scientific basis for establishing effective recruitment strategy and promoting sustainable development of voluntary blood donation. 【Methods】 The demographic information of voluntary blood donors was obtained via the Shandong Blood Management Information System. The gender, age, occupation and education level of blood donors were descriptively analyzed. High socioeconomic status (SES) and low SES districts were defined according to GDP per capita, and the demographic characteristics of blood donors in the two districts were compared. 【Results】 The proportion of blood donors with a bachelor degree or above increased from 14.28% in 2012 to 20.81% in 2019, showing a significant increase in education level (P<0.01). The proportion of college students and medical staff increased from 14.82% and 2.36% in 2012 to 19.19% and 3.73% in 2019, respectively (P<0.01); the proportion of blood donors aged 26~35 years decreased by 8.82%, and those aged 46~60 years increased by 10.86% (P<0.01). The proportion of blood donors aged 18~25 years increased from 30.72% to 38.12% in high SES district, and decreased from 22.77% to 13.04% in low SES district. 【Conclusion】 The demographic profile of voluntary blood donors in Shandong showed significant changes during the past 8 years ( from 2012 to 2019), which may also exist in other areas in China. It is necessary to improve the recruitment strategies according to those changes, thus promot the sustainable and healthy development of voluntary blood donation.