The health impacts of blood donation: a systematic review of donor and non-donor perceptions.

BACKGROUND: The health and well-being of volunteer donors is of critical concern for blood collection agencies responsible for ensuring a stable supply of blood products. However, lay understandings of the impact of donating blood on health remain poorly understood. As lay perceptions are likely to influence critical decisions about donation, understanding these perceptions is key for informing evidence-based approaches to donor retention and recruitment. As such, we conducted a systematic review of the blood donation literature to identify donors' and non-donors' perceptions of the short and longer-term physiological health effects of whole-blood and/or blood product donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines. Studies published from January 1995 to February 2021 were included. Perceptions were defined as both experiences and beliefs. Psychological effects were considered outside the scope of the review. RESULTS: A total of 247 studies were included. Most studies (89.5%) had donation-related health perceptions as a background rather than a central (10.5%) focus, and they were only assessed in relation to whole blood donation. More results focused on health-related beliefs than experiences (82 vs 18%), specific rather than general beliefs and experiences (80 vs 20%) and more frequently examined negative than positive beliefs and experiences (83 vs 17%). The most commonly studied and reported specific negative beliefs related to increased risk of infectious disease, reduced vitality, vasovagal reactions and low iron. Most studies examining specific negative beliefs were conducted in Asian countries. DISCUSSION: Findings reinforce that lay perspectives on how donation impacts health are under-researched, and it is difficult to know how important these are in informing critical decisions about donation for donors and non-donors. We suggest that further research with donation-related health beliefs and experiences as the central focus is needed to provide insights to inform communications with donors and the public.

Psychological responses to blood donated by men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: Restrictions previously limiting the ability of men who have sex with men to donate blood are being eased in a number of nations worldwide. In the context of these changes, it is important to determine public perceptions of receiving a transfusion of blood donated by men who have sex with men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In online surveys, 510 (Study 1) and 1,062 (Study 2) heterosexual participants reported attitudes, anxiety, disgust, and gratitude towards potentially receiving a transfusion of blood donated by a homosexual male donor and a heterosexual male donor. In Study 2, half of the participants were reminded of the safety testing carried out on donated blood samples. Negative attitudes, anxiety, disgust, and gratitude were compared between the two donors using t-tests and within-participants indirect effects analysis. RESULTS: Stronger negative attitudes, higher anxiety and disgust, and lower gratitude were reported in relation to a potential transfusion of blood donated by the homosexual male donor relative to the heterosexual male donor (|d|=0.26-0.46). This was the case even when participants were reminded of the safety testing completed on donated blood samples in Study 2. In both studies, the effect of donor sexual orientation on attitudes was explained via heightened anxiety and disgust and attenuated gratitude (b=0.05-0.30). DISCUSSION: Considering receiving a transfusion of blood donated by a homosexual male donor elicits more negative attitudes, anxiety and disgust, and less positive emotion, relative to blood donated by a heterosexual male donor. These attitudes and emotional reactions are not shifted by a reminder of the safety testing carried out on donated blood samples. In the context of changing restrictions on blood donation by men who have sex with men, these findings highlight a challenge to shift public perception to embrace this cohort of donors.

Blood Donors' Preferences Toward Incentives for Donation in China.

Importance: Blood donation is critical for health care systems, but donor retention remains challenging. Understanding donors' preferences can inform incentive design and improve retention rates. Objective: To identify donor preferences for incentive attributes and their relative importance in promoting blood donation among Chinese donors in Shandong. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study fielded a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with a dual response design among blood donors, analyzing the responses under forced and unforced choice settings. The study took place from January 1 to April 30, 2022, in 3 cities (Yantai, Jinan, and Heze) representing diverse socioeconomic strata in Shandong, China. Eligible participants were blood donors aged 18 to 60 years who had donated within the preceding 12 months. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were analyzed from May to June 2022. Exposure: Respondents were presented with different blood donation incentive profiles, varying in health examination, blood recipient, honor recognition, travel time, and gift value. Main Outcome and Measure: Respondent preferences for nonmonetary incentive attributes, attribute relative importance, willingness-to-discard values for attribute improvement, and estimated uptake of new incentive profiles. Results: A total of 650 donors were invited, of which 477 were included for analysis. The respondents were predominately male (308 respondents [64.6%]), aged 18 to 34 years (291 respondents [61.0%]), and had undergraduate degrees or higher (286 respondents [59.9%]). Among the 477 valid respondents, the mean (SD) age was 31.9 (11.2) years. Respondents preferred comprehensive health examination, family members as recipients, central government recognition, 30-minute travel time, and a gift valued at 60 Renminbi (RMB). No significant differences were found between the model results of forced and unforced choice setting. Blood recipient was the most important attribute, followed by health examination and gifts, and then honor and travel time. Respondents were willing to discard RMB 32 (95% CI, 18-46) for an improved health examination and RMB 69 (95% CI, 47-92) for changing the recipient from themselves to family members. Scenario analysis estimated 80.3% (SE, 0.024) of donors would endorse the new incentive profile if the recipient was changed from themselves to family members. Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, blood recipient, health examination, and gift value were perceived more important as nonmonetary incentives than travel time and honor recognition. Tailoring incentives according to these preferences may improve donor retention. Further research could help refine and optimize incentive schemes for blood donation promotion.

Psychological ownership and identity motives in blood donation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interventions to retain existing donors are essential to increase the blood supply. Blood donor self-identity is proposed to motivate sustained donation behaviour. However, interventions to develop self-identity in the absence of donating blood are scarce. We propose that experiencing psychological ownership of a blood collection agency (BCA) may provide a potential avenue for fostering donor self-identity and subsequent sustained donation behaviour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-five donor participants were recruited through Prolific Academic (n = 175) and an Australian online blood donor community group (n = 80), with an additional 252 non-donors recruited through Prolific Academic. Participants completed an online survey assessing donation behaviour, perceived psychological ownership of a BCA, self-identity and intentions to donate blood, amongst other constructs. RESULTS: Consistent with our theoretical argument, psychological ownership was positively associated with self-identity, which, in turn, was positively associated with intentions to donate blood. Donation behaviour was positively associated with psychological ownership. Examination of psychological ownership by donation experience showed the expected relationship with committed donors having the strongest psychological ownership and non-donors having the weakest psychological ownership over a BCA. CONCLUSION: We provide initial support for the inclusion of psychological ownership within a model of sustained blood donation behaviour.

The effectiveness of iron education through a mobile application on donor return after deferral for low hemoglobin.

BACKGROUND: Low hemoglobin level is a common cause of donor deferral and results in a huge loss of the donor pool. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application as an educational tool to enhance donor return and improve hemoglobin levels after deferral. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an interventional study involving 382 blood donors who were deferred for low hemoglobin. The donors were divided equally into two groups: a control group and the intervention group. The control group received standard management for low hemoglobin deferral, which includes a short counseling session and a 1-month course of oral iron therapy. The intervention group used a mobile application in addition to standard management. The primary endpoint was the number of blood donors who returned during the 7 months of follow-up. The secondary endpoints were the hemoglobin increment at the first visit after the donors' deferral. RESULTS: The return rate was higher in the intervention group, with 81.2% of the donors returning in the 7 months of follow-up compared to 66% of the control group (p<0.001). Male and female donors had mean hemoglobin increments of 1.0 g/dL and 0.7 g/dL, respectively, in the intervention group, compared to decrements of 0.2 g/dL and 0.4 g/dL, respectively, in the control group (p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed a significant association between intervention method, education level and donation status on donor return (p=0.015, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). DISCUSSION: Higher return rate and greater hemoglobin increase in the interventional group could be attributed to features in the mobile application. Repeat donors had the highest odds of returning to donate, followed by those with a tertiary level of education, and those given the mobile application. This study showed that a mobile application was effective in enhancing donor return and increasing hemoglobin level among deferred blood donors on their first return.

The influence of service quality and anticipated emotions on donor loyalty: an empirical analysis in blood centres in Spain.

Blood donation centres need to recruit and retain donors to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare systems, as COVID-19 has recently evidenced. In such risky settings, blood donation services must increase donations. Service quality can increase donations but its evaluation only amounts to a cognitive evaluation, and not to an emotional appraisal. Consequently, both service quality and emotions should be considered when predicting donor behaviour. In fact, donating blood is an emotionally charged service, thus representing an ideal setting to investigate how emotions influence consumer behaviour. This research proposes a new method to predict blood donors' intentions by integrating a cognitive approach measuring perceived quality, and an emotional approach including anticipated emotions (both positive and negative) of 'donation' and 'non-donation'. Based on a sample of 30,621 active Spanish donors, it is concluded that service quality is an antecedent for anticipated emotions and that both service quality and anticipated emotions influence donor loyalty. Designing the donation process based on quality criteria would provoke encouraging emotions and diminish discouraging emotions, therefore improving donor loyalty.

Choice architecture for young adult blood donor recruitment - a feasibility study.

Blood shortages remain an ongoing challenge, ameliorable by increasing blood donations. Choice architecture is an emerging concept in psychology dealing with the targeted presentation of options to encourage a desired decision. A pilot study was designed to test the feasibility of implementing six choice architecture strategies on a Midwest high-school blood drive. These include framing, conformity, mere measurement, availability heuristic, loss aversion and status quo bias. A pre-post interrupted time-series evaluation was performed to evaluate for an immediate impact on blood donations. All six of the intended choice architecture strategies were successfully implemented. The pre-intervention 5-year average number of blood donations per blood drive was 15 (4.3% of age eligible donors) whereas post intervention, the number of blood donors rose to 25 (7.1% of age eligible donors; p-value = .0013). The application of choice architecture to blood donor recruitment strategies is feasible and has the potential to reduce the burden of blood shortages.

Motivation, blood donor satisfaction and intention to return during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe motives as well as donation experiences and the intention to return for further donations of German whole blood donors who donated at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To describe motives and donor experiences, a retrospective survey was conducted among whole blood donors that had a donation appointment at the German Red Cross Blood Donation Service in the first 4 weeks of the pandemic. A donor questionnaire including 17 retrospective questions was sent to 7500 donors. Donor motivation and donor experiences were compared for different donor groups using chi-square statistics. Finally, in an ordinal logistic regression model predictors for the intention to return were identified. RESULTS: More than half of the participating donors (56.9%) wanted to contribute to the fight against the pandemic by donating blood. Most of the donors were satisfied with their last donation experience and felt safe during the blood donor appointment. However, some donors would have liked more information on how to deal with the pandemic (20.3%). Intention to return for further donations was strongly associated with overall satisfaction (OR: 1.67, CI: 1.47-1.90) and the feeling of being safe during blood donation (OR: 1.33, CI: 1.05-1.68). CONCLUSION: Donor satisfaction with the last donation was high and the vast majority of donors felt very safe. However, those donors who felt unsafe expressed a low intention to return and blood donation services should therefore carefully monitor donor satisfaction.

Social Contagion of Vasovagal Symptoms in Blood Donors: Interactions With Empathy.

BACKGROUND: Vasovagal reactions (VVRs) are commonly experienced in medical situations such as blood donation. Many believe that psychosocial contagion can contribute to the development of VVRs, but this is largely clinical lore. PURPOSE: The goal of the present investigation was to examine the physiological effects of observing another experience a reaction, focusing on the potential moderating effects of empathy. METHODS: This study was part of a randomized controlled trial of behavioral techniques on the prevention of VVRs in blood donors. The sample was composed of 530 healthy university students. Measures of symptoms were obtained with the Blood Donation Reactions Inventory (BDRI) and through observation. Physiological variables were measured using respiratory capnometry and a digital blood pressure monitor. The Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy was administered to 230 participants. RESULTS: Donors who witnessed another experiencing a reaction were more likely to spontaneously report symptoms during the blood draw, to be treated for a reaction, to score higher on the BDRI, and to exhibit smaller compensatory heart rate increases. Donors with higher affective empathy reported more symptoms, exhibited hyperventilation, and were more likely to be treated. Donors with higher cognitive empathy were less likely to require treatment if they witnessed a reaction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that psychosocial contagion of physical symptoms can occur. The moderating effects of empathy differed depending on the subtype of empathy. Perhaps a better cognitive understanding of how other people are feeling functions as a coping response, whereas feeling sympathetic about others' distress increases one's own.

Results from the blood donor competence, autonomy, and relatedness enhancement (blood donor CARE) randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to promote competence, autonomy, and relatedness among first-time whole blood donors to enhance intrinsic motivation and increase retention. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a full factorial design, first-time donors (N = 2002) were randomly assigned to a no-treatment control condition or to one of seven intervention conditions designed to promote donation competence, autonomy, relatedness, a combination of two (e.g., competence and autonomy), or all three constructs. Participants completed donor motivation measures before the intervention and 6 weeks later, and subsequent donation attempts were assessed for 1 year. RESULTS: There was no significant group difference in the frequency of donation attempts or in the number of days to return. Significant effects of group were observed for 10 of the 12 motivation measures, although follow-up analyses revealed significant differences from the control group were restricted to interventions that included an autonomy component. Path analyses confirmed direct associations between interventions involving autonomy and donor motivation, and indirect mediation of donation attempts via stronger donation intentions and lower donation anxiety. CONCLUSION: Among young, first-time, whole blood donors, brief interventions that include support for donor autonomy were associated with direct effects on donor motivation and indirect, but small, effects on subsequent donation behavior.

Donor orientation and service quality: Key factors in active blood donors' satisfaction and loyalty.

Faced with the increasing demand for blood and greater restrictions on ensuring the safety of transfusions, voluntary donation is currently the only and best alternative for the health system to have a sustainable and safe blood supply. In this context, one of the primary strategies of blood transfusion centres is to increase the satisfaction of their active donors so that they maintain their intention to donate in the future and, in turn, make the necessary recommendations so that third parties can become new donors. That is why this paper raises a question for research concerning, what should the premises be to guide the management of blood transfusion centres to maintain and even increase the satisfaction and loyalty of their active donors? In order to respond to this issue, a change in paradigm is proposed based on a management model supported by donor orientation and service quality as basic pillars, as well as on the development of a number of key social capital resources that explain this orientation toward the donor. In both approaches, the donor becomes the cornerstone of decision-making, moving away from the traditional model which is focused more on achieving targets related to the collection of blood bags. Through the empirical analysis of a sample of 126 employees from various transfusion centres and 26,833 active donors in nine Spanish autonomous communities, we have been able to validate this proposed management model as a useful tool to blood promotion agents in their decision-making processes.

Knowledge and attitude towards blood donation among college students in Southwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: blood donation (BD) is affected by several factors, among which people's knowledge and attitude are the key determinants. However, the level of knowledge and attitude towards BD in Ethiopia is not yet well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level and factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards blood donation among health science college students in Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 health science students from June 1st to 15th 2019. The data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered using EPI-data version 4.2.0.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The correlation analysis was done to determine the association between the knowledge sum score and the attitude sum score. A binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: the proportions of good knowledge and positive attitude towards BD were 69.3%, 95% CI (64.8%-73.4%) and 58.1%, 95% CI (52.3%-63.0%) respectively. The study also found that age ≥23 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.67, 95% CI (1.04-2.67)), having a father with primary and secondary school and above (AOR=2.24, 95% CI (1.20-4.17) and AOR=2.26, 95% CI (1.26-4.06) respectively) and ever donated blood (AOR=3.64, 95%CI (2.26-5.85)) were factors associated with good knowledge of blood donation. Being a rural resident (AOR=1.59, 95% CI (1.01-2.40)) and graduating class student (AOR=0.56, 95% CI (0.34-0.96)) were factors associated with a positive attitude towards blood donation. The knowledge-related questions´ sum score value was positively correlated with the attitude-related questions' sum score value (r=0.30, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: the knowledge and attitude towards BD among the study population are a substantial deficiency. Therefore, more effort is needed to increase the level of knowledge and attitude towards BD by inculcating short training courses for these groups of population in the existing curriculum.

Psychological assessment and lived experiences of recovered COVID-19 patients who presented for convalescent plasma donation.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, it has been seen that patients recovering from COVID-19 may face a second battle of coping with its mental health ramifications. These psychological issues can even be experienced by patients who were asymptomatic or had mild to moderate symptoms, potentially impacting their quality of life. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective observational study to analyse the psychological impact of COVID-19 in recovered patients who presented as prospective convalescent plasma (CP) donors. An interview for the psychological assessment of the prospective donors was carried out. Depression and anxiety in the participants were assessed by HAM-A, and HAM-D scores and Quality of Life were assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale. RESULTS: A total of 51 prospective donors were assessed, with a mean age of 34.37 (±9.08) years, with the majority being males (46). No clinically significant depression and anxiety were found on the basis of HAM-D and HAM-A scores. The worst affected quality of life parameter, based on the WHOQOL-BREF scale, was physical quality of life followed by environmental, psychological, and social relationships. Moreover, due to infection, social stigma was experienced by 49.02% of the donors, while 21.97% had anxiety related to convalescent plasma donation as a common livid experience. CONCLUSION: Poor quality of life and social stigma during the recovery phase is prevalent in COVID-19 recovered patients, for which formulation of holistic support strategies are the need of the hour.

Improving the donation experience and reducing venipuncture pain by addressing fears among whole-blood and plasma donors.

BACKGROUND: Fear of blood donation is implicated in vasovagal reactions, donor recruitment, and retention. This study examined the extent to which fear among donors is associated with various donor outcomes in an Australian sample, and whether fear can be addressed on-site to reduce adverse reactions and improve the donation experience. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-four donors (age M = 33.4, SD = 12.7; 55% female) participated in a two-center, pragmatic, parallel group, individually randomized controlled trial. Following donor registration and consent, whole-blood (n = 539) and plasma (n = 125) donors were assigned to one of four Conditions: control; fear assessment; fear assessment + brochure; fear assessment + brochure + tailored conversation focused on any self-reported fear and coping strategies. Post-donation questionnaires assessed the donors' experience including positive support, donor self-efficacy, anxiety, fear, venipuncture pain, and vasovagal reactions. RESULTS: Fear among donors predicted higher venipuncture pain, post-donation anxiety, and vasovagal reactions and remained significant after controlling for other established predictors (i.e., total estimated blood volume, age, sex, and donation experience). Mediational analyses showed that exposure to brochures (with or without the tailored conversation) was associated with less pain, with this effect mediated by donor perceptions of more positive support. Venipuncture pain was also associated with vasovagal reactions, reduced likelihood of return within 6 months, and less satisfaction with the donation experience. CONCLUSION: The current results underline the importance of interventions to address fear among both whole-blood and plasma donors to secure the safety and well-being of donors and the blood supply.

Deterrents in recruitment of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors: Experience from a hospital-based blood centre in India.

INTRODUCTION: Recruitment of Covid-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) donors may present as a challenge due to inexperience and differences in donor profile as compared to whole blood donation. Present study highlights the deterrents to recruiting CCP donors at a hospital based blood centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Potential CCP donors were contacted individually by telephone and a group approach through camp organisers from May to July 2020. Recruitment challenges were noted and deferrals of these recruited donors during screening and medical examination was obtained and analysed. RESULTS: Total 1165 potential CCP donors were contacted. Around 47% donors were lost due to challenges related to information storage and retrieval. Fear of health, family pressure, and fear of a new procedure were major reason (27.2%) for unwillingness to donate. The main reasons for deferral among potential donors were multiparity (38%) and being overage/underage (31.6%). Finally, 468 donors were recruited including 408 by individual approach and 60 by a group approach. From these absence of detectable COVID-19 antibodies were found in 15.4%. Few donors (9.0%) were deferred as they had not completed 28 days post recovery. CONCLUSION: The process of CCP donor recruitment differs from that of whole blood donation and requires an individualised approach with involvement of clinicians in the initial phases of the pandemic. A group approach targeting specific organisations could be adopted for a successful CCP collection program. There is a need to relook into some aspects of donor selection such as consideration of multiparous female donors and overage/underage donors after reviewing scientific evidence.

Awareness and practice of cord blood donation by pregnant women in Lagos Nigeria: Practice implication for future cord blood transplantation in Nigeria.

Background: Poor awareness remains a substantial limitation to harnessing the benefits of umbilical cord blood (UCB) in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and factors influencing intention to donate cord blood to blood bank among antenatal clinic attendees at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of 400 women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, between February and June 2018. The data were analyzed using Stata version 13; comparisons were conducted with Chi-square, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted with "willingness to donate" as the outcome variable. Results: Majority (n = 287/331 [86.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76.4-84.9]) of the participants had some knowledge of UCB, almost half intended future donation of UCB (n = 161/333, [48.3%, 95% CI: 42.9-53.6]). Based on our findings, factors such as religion (P = 0.001), education (P = 0.03), information from health-care provider (P < 0.001) appear to influence awareness, and the decision to donate UCB. Conclusion: Although the awareness of the clinical uses of UCB is very limited in Nigeria, the intent to participate in UCB donation is high. Factors such as religion, education, and prior information about UCB donation by health-care providers have been identified in this study to have an influence on the decision to donate UCB.

RésuméContexte: La faible sensibilisation demeure une limitation substantielle à l'exploitation des avantages du sang de cordon ombilical (UCB) en Afrique subsaharienne. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer le niveau de sensibilisation et les facteurs influençant l'intention de donner du sang de cordon à une banque de sang parmi Les participants à une clinique prénatale dans un hôpital tertiaire au Nigéria. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude transversale basée sur un questionnaire auprès de 400 femmes fréquentant la clinique prénatale d'un hôpital tertiaire à Lagos, au Nigeria, entre février et juin 2018. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de Stata version 13; des comparaisons ont été effectuées avec le chi carré, le test t de Student et le test U de Mann-Whitney. Binaire univariable et multivariable une régression logistique a été effectuée avec la "volonté de donner" comme variable de résultat. Résultats: Majorité (n = 287/331 [86,2%, confiance à 95% intervalle [IC]: 76,4­84,9]) des participants avaient une certaine connaissance de l'UCB, près de la moitié des dons futurs prévus de l'UCB (n = 161/333, [48,3%, IC à 95%: 42,9-53,6]). Des facteurs tels que la religion (P = 0,001), l'éducation (P = 0,03), les informations fournies par le prestataire de soins de santé (P <0,001) ont influence la sensibilisation et la décision de faire un don d'UCB. Conclusion: Bien que la connaissance des utilisations cliniques de l'UCB soit très limitée au Nigéria, la l'intention de participer au don UCB est élevée. Facteurs tels que la religion, l'éducation et les informations préalables sur le don d'UCB par les soins de santé les prestataires ont été identifiés dans cette étude comme ayant une influence sur la décision de faire un don d'UCB.

Intention to voluntary blood donation among private higher education students, Jimma town, Oromia, Ethiopia: Application of the theory of planned behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Blood is an important and crucial component in the management of patients presenting with severe accident injuries, surgical conditions, malignancies, pregnancy-related complications, and other medical conditions. OBJECTIVES: To assess intention to voluntary blood donation among private higher education students in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia, 2019. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study with quantitative methods was conducted in private higher education students in Jimma town. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. First, a simple random sampling technique was used to select departments in each private higher education institution. Seven departments were included in the study and after proportionally allocated in each department, a total of 595 were participated in the study, producing a response rate of 98%. The data was collected using self-administered structured questioners with 3 trained data collectors. Multivariable linear regression analysis was done to assess association between the independent variables and dependent variable. RESULTS: The mean score for intention of the respondents to donate blood voluntarily was 15.41 out of 25 with standard deviation of 4.42.The TPB variables explained 61.3% of the variance of intention to donate blood. Direct perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.745, P < 0.001), direct attitude (B = 0.295, P<0.001) and direct subjective norm (ß = 0.131, P< 0.001) were significant predictors of the intention. CONCLUSION: Respondents' intentions are mainly determined by perceived barriers and, subjective norms, the attitude of respondents towards voluntary blood donation.

New blood donors in times of crisis: Increased donation willingness, particularly among people at high risk for attracting SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, during crises the number of new blood donors increases. However, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created additional barriers to donate due to governmental prevention measures and increased personal health risks. In this report, we examined how the pandemic affected new donor registrations in the Netherlands, especially among groups with higher risk profiles for severe COVID-19. Additionally, we explored the role of media for blood donation and new donor registrations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed new donor registrations and attention for blood donation in newspapers and on social media from January until May 2020, in comparison to the same period in 2017 to 2019. RESULTS: After the introduction of nationwide prevention measures, several peaks in new donor registrations occurred, which coincided with peaks in media attention. Interestingly, people with a higher risk profile for COVID-19 (e.g., due to age or region of residence) were overrepresented among new registrants. DISCUSSION: In sum, the first peak of the current pandemic has led to increased new blood donor registrations, despite the associated increased health risks. Time and future studies will have to tell whether these new donors are one-off 'pandemic' donors or if they will become regular, loyal donors.

Red cell genotyping of rare blood donors: donation behaviour and data visualization.

BACKGROUND: The continual identification of rare blood among donors is critical to support national programs like the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP). Some blood centres require consent from donors to be registered with a national registry. This situation provides an opportunity to determine whether a donor's willingness to register is associated with a change in donation behaviour. METHODS: Rare donors were identified by molecular typing. The average number of donations per year was compared for each donor prior to and after receiving a consent letter. Donors were categorized as either accepting or declining the request. Non-parametric t tests compared the statistical significance within and between categories. Rare types were overlaid with consensus data to look for trends using data visualization techniques. RESULTS: A total of 270 molecularly typed rare donors received letters over 4 years. Half of the donors (132, 49%) agreed to participate in the ARDP. Overall, donation frequency increased after the letter when enrolled. Both Caucasian and non-Caucasian donors increased their donations after enrolling providing an additional 159 red blood cell units over 3 years. Declining participation did not change donation frequency. Data visualization showed that enrolled donors were more affluent, high school and college educated, and lived in their home for longer periods of time. CONCLUSION: A donor's willingness to enrol in the ARDP was associated with a post-response increase in donation frequency. New interventions to reach non-Caucasian donors may be a prerequisite to increase donation frequency and a willingness to be a rare blood donor.