Effect of blood donation on well-being of blood donors

The demand for blood products steadily increases. Concurrently, blood donor recruitment becomes more and more difficult. This study aimed to investigate effects of blood donation on blood donors, which could be helpful for blood donor recruitment and retention. In addition to cortisol measurements in saliva, three questionnaires quantifying mood (good/bad), vigilance (awake/tired), agitation (calm/nervous), actual strain and asking for donation-related effects perceived were distributed to 110 whole blood donors (DON). Results obtained were compared with 109 control subjects (CON) lacking the blood donation experience. Overall, 216 subjects completed the questionnaires. Sixty-eight percent of DON reported at least one effect perceived with blood donation. Exclusively, positive, negative or mixed effects were described by 26.5%, 23.5% and 17.6%, respectively. Among positive effects (i.e. physical/psychological well-being, feeling satisfied, happy, proud), no significant differences were observed between males and females (P = 0.07), whereas mixed or negative effects (i.e. vertigo, dizziness, tiredness, pain) were significantly (P = 0.03; P = 0.049) more associated with females. DON showed higher levels of well-being than CON as indicated by better mood (P = 0.004), higher vigilance (P = 0.015) and relaxation (P = 0.003). The latter even increased after donation with maximum values after 15 and 30 min. Despite significantly higher initial strain scores (P = 0.008), first-time donors maintained a better mood (P = 0.025) than repeat donors. DON showed a statistically better psychological well-being than CON, although the donation experience was perceived as stressful, especially for first-time donors. The results may facilitate donor recruitment and retention as blood donation may become less frightening and perhaps even attractive.     

Willingness to communicate organ donation intention

OBJECTIVE: The study tested an intervention exposing people who planned to donate organs to written information about communicating with family their intention to donate organs. DESIGN: A pretest posttest double-blind experiment compared participants given written information about communicating with family and basic organ donation information, with participants given written information about only basic organ donation information. SAMPLE: Participants included 109 adults who had not yet communicated their plans with family. MEASURES: Participants first responded to previous experience with organ donation, thoughts about organ donation, willingness to communicate with family about organ donation, and knowledge about organ donation. After reading the respective pamphlet, participants again responded to thoughts about communicating with their family and willingness to communicate with family. RESULTS: Both groups responded with the same high willingness to communicate before the intervention and a small but significant increase in willingness to communicate afterwards. CONCLUSIONS: Participants expressed a high degree of willingness to communicate about their organ donation intentions even though they had thus far not communicated their intentions. Factors in addition to willingness to communicate need to be identified in order to encourage better communication about organ donation intentions.     

Hispanic ethnicity,race and blood donation in the United States

summary The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that blood donation rates vary with Hispanic ethnicity (family origin in Spanish‐speaking countries) in addition to race in the United States. Lower blood donation rates have been reported among African Americans (AAs) compared with non‐Hispanic European Americans (EAs). Adequate published reports on donation rates are not available for Hispanic Americans (HAs). Using data from a 2002 national survey, which included 4923 men and 7600 women aged 15–44 years with complete data, we tested the hypothesis using weighted bivariate and multivariate statistics. Among men aged 25–44 years, the percentage [95% confidence limits (95% CL)] with a history of blood donation since 1985 was similar at ages 25–34 years (46%, 42–49) and 35–44 years (41%, 37–45). It was highest in non‐Hispanic EA (49%, 45–52%), intermediate in AA (35%, 30–40%) and lowest in HA (30%, 25–36%) (P < 0·001). Other variables significantly (P < 0·01) associated with history of blood donation in bivariate analyses were nativity (United States/other), education (<12/≥12 years), poverty (<200%/≥200% poverty limit) and married (yes/no). Variables that are not significantly associated were age, metropolitan residence (yes/no), receipt of public assistance (yes/no), current labour‐force participation (yes/no) and religion raised. Compared with non‐Hispanic EA, the adjusted odds ratios were essentially the same for Hispanics 0·66 (95% CL 0·47–0·92) and AAs 0·64 (95% CL 0·49–0·84). Only 34% of women had donated blood, but the association with race/ethnicity was similar. Similar patterns were also seen at ages 15–24 years. HAs and AAs have similar low blood donation rates compared with non‐Hispanic EAs. The difference is not explained by sociodemographic variables.     

血管迷走神经性献血反应的相关因素分析

目的探讨血管迷走神经性献血反应的相关影响因素,为制定有效的干预措施提供依据。方法回顾性调查2013年1月至2017年12月宜昌市献血人群,其中发生的490例血管迷走神经性献血反应的献血者资料,分析影响血管迷走神经性献血反应的相关因素。结果初次献血、低年龄(18-24岁)、学生、男性、低体重(<55 Kg)、街头献血是血管迷走神经性献血反应发生的影响因素,且影响程度依次为初次献血(OR值6.141,95%CI 4.908-7.684)、低年龄(OR值3.271,95%CI为2.735-3.912)、学生(OR值2.811,95%CI为2.277-3.470)、低体重(OR值1.345,95%CI为1.121-1.614)、男性(OR值1.254,95%CI为1.038-1.515)、街头献血(OR值1.245,95%CI为1.034-1.498)。结论心理因素是影响血管迷走神经性献血反应发生的主要因素,在献血全过程中应特别注意对初次献血、低年龄(18-24岁)、学生献血者的心理护理,采取针对性的预防措施,保障献血者安全。     

Attitudes towards blood donation in Trinidad and Tobago

summary .  The aims of this study were to determine the factors that influence blood donation in different demographic groups in a multi-ethnic, multicultural community, and to devise a strategy for a national campaign to increase voluntary non-remunerated blood donations.
The majority (87%) of blood donations in Trinidad and Tobago are replacement donations. Seventy per cent of the country's transfusion needs are not met. In 1998, the World Health Assembly recommended that reliance on replacement donations should be phased out due to their association with an increased risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.
An observer-administered questionnaire was completed by 1423 respondents in a multi-ethnic borough in central Trinidad. Respondents were classified as donors or non-donors and grouped by age, race, religion, employment status and highest level of education. The prevalence of a history of blood donation and the factors that encouraged donation or conversely discouraged donation in each demographic group were recorded.
A total of 1146 (81·2%) respondents had never donated blood. Of the 277 (18·8%) who had previously donated, replacement for a family member or friend was the most common reason (86·9%). The prevalence of donation was low in all racial, religious, gender, educational and age groups. However, there were significant demographic variations. The majority (71·3%) of non-donors cited a lack of information as a major reason for non-donation and expressed a willingness to donate if access to information and donation facilities were improved.
Voluntary blood donation in Trinidad and Tobago could be greatly increased by a national education campaign and increased accessibility to donation centres. This would ensure a safer and more reliable blood supply.     

Factors influencing voluntary blood donation practice among university students of Bangladesh

Although voluntary blood donation among young people, particularly university students, is increasing and saving many valued lives, it is unclear which characteristics of the students have the most influence on their willingness to participate in voluntary blood donation. We aimed to identify the correlates that might influence voluntary blood donation practice. In total, 439 students from different universities in Bangladesh participated in this study. Data were collected using an e-questionnaire. To better understand students’ perception regarding voluntary blood donation, exploratory data analysis and the Pearson Chi-square test were performed. The degree of association of the possible risk factors was evaluated using odds ratios (OR) from a backward selection binary logistic regression model. 54 % (237) of the respondents voluntarily donated blood at least once. The odds of male students voluntarily donating blood were 7.28 (95 % CI: 4.14–12.78) times higher than their counterparts. University students who participated in various volunteer organizations were 2.43 [95 % CI: 1.49–3.96], p = 0.005) times and students, who had seen advertisements of blood donation on social media or a part of social media-based blood donation campaign were 4.72 [95 % CI: 2.57–8.65] times more likely to donate blood than their counterparts. The majority of the first-year students were discovered to be first-time blood donors. Moreover, BMI was also found to be significantly associated (positively) with blood donation practice. We found that females, students with lower BMI, and students who are not involved in any voluntary organization are less involved in voluntary blood donation.     

Specialist nurse training programme: dealing with asking for organ donation

The issue of cadaveric organ transplantation is by its very nature emotional as it is associated with the very traumatic time of a loved one's death. Making a request for organs needs to be handled very sensitively by health professionals when discussing the issue with a family. Those nurses working in critical care areas are most likely to confront this issue and need to be equipped for dealing with ensuing events. The major challenge for the nurse is to address the concerns with brain death and organ donation in an environment of grief and sadness. Asking for organ consent is the most important element of all and needs to be done in the most sensitive manner, providing appropriate support to the donor family. To facilitate this process specialist training programmes in the nursing curriculum are imperative. Education programmes should incorporate presentations, role play situations and discussions based upon past experiences of organ requests. This would hopefully result in increased rates of donor consent and thereby a reduction in transplant waiting lists.     

在广元市无偿献血者中开展丙氨酸氨基转移酶筛查的探讨

目的 探讨在献血者中开展丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)筛查的可行性.方法 通过对2010年7月1日至9月30日5 376例无偿献血者进行ALT筛查,将其筛查结果与同时期3年内实验室无偿献血者ALT检测结果进行对比分析.结果 在无偿献血者中,再次献血不合格率(8.56%)较初次献血者(10.47%)偏低,复检不合格率(5.42%)较初筛(9.80%)偏低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).通过开展献血前ALT筛查,2010年ALT不合格率较2008年和2009年低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).ALT不合格主要与献血前饮酒(26.00%)、疲劳(29.60%)等相关.结论 在献血前开展ALT项目的 筛查,既保护了献血者的身体健康,也有效避免血液不必要的浪费,节约了血液资源.     

激励机制对无偿献血志愿工作的影响

目的探讨激励机制在无偿献血志愿工作发展中的作用。方法增进与无偿献血志愿者的交流,深入了解他们的需求,根据其多元化的需求,适时有效地进行激励。结果通过实施因人而异的多种激励措施,激发无偿献血志愿者的工作热情。结论建立充分、有效的激励机制,促进无偿献血志愿工作的持续、稳定、健康发展,是采供血机构无偿献血志愿工作进一步发展的必然趋势。     

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation in Iranian population

Background: The increase in demand for blood products because of new surgical and medical procedures seeks more research to find new ways to recruit people to donate blood. Objective/Aim: To determine the level of people's knowledge about donating blood considering its relation with infectious and chronic diseases, drug abuse, unsafe sexual intercourse, menstruation and anaemia. In addition, their attitude towards blood donation regarding their previous behaviour and factors such as altruism, religion, family, fears and availability of blood donation centres has been evaluated. Methods: This study was conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2009 on 1000 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires that comprised 37 questions considering demographic and background characteristics, level of knowledge and positive and negative attitudes towards blood donation. Finally, data were analysed using SPSS software. Results: Of 1000 in this study, 26% were donors, of whom 55% had donated blood more than once. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 8·6, which was associated with the subjects' gender and level of education (P = 0·031 and P < 0·001, respectively). Age, gender and level of education were significantly associated with one's attitude towards blood donation (P = 0·021, P < 0·001 and P = 0·003,respectively). Ninety‐five percent of people have stated that their main motivation to donate blood was altruism. Conclusion: Altruism and being encouraged by others had the leading roles in peoples' positive attitude towards blood donation; whereas hard access to blood donation centres seemed to be the main inhibitory factor.     

Remuneration for blood donation and attitudes towards blood donation and receipt in Leeds

In a survey of attitudes towards remuneration for blood donation in Leeds, the following questions were completed by 489 adults (N), of whom 89 were regular donors, 105 were lapsed donors and 295 had never donated: 'If you needed blood, would you be content if the donor had been paid: yes/no'. 'If I were paid enough I would be less/equally/more likely to donate blood '. The majority (67.7%) of potential recipients would be content if the donor had been paid. The prospect of remuneration made 16.4% of respondents more likely and 14.5% less likely to donate. As the difference is less than 2% of N, offering remuneration may not lead to a significant increase in the number of donations. A statistical comparison (chi2 = 45, d.f. = 2, P < 0.001) showed associations between the responses 'more likely to donate if paid' and 'content to receive blood from a paid donor', and between the responses 'less likely to donate if paid' and 'not content to receive blood from a paid donor'. Age distributions are presented for the donor status categories and the responses to the main questions. Of 129 people who stated a minimum, nonzero payment that would persuade them to donate, 103 (80%) suggested pound sterling 10 or less.     

前置胎盘患者预存式自体输血安全性研究

目的研究预存式自体输血对前置胎盘患者红细胞、血红蛋白、细胞比容和血小板数量的影响,并观察产后出血以及妊娠结局,进而探讨在前置胎盘患者中实施预存式自体输血的安全性,为以后临床操作提供参考。方法收集2004—2007年5月住院分娩的64名前置胎盘患者,将其分为预存式自体输血组和未自体输血组。比较自体输血患者采血前后不同时间以及两组分娩前后红细胞、血红蛋白、细胞比容和血小板数量差异有无显著性。观察不同组产后出血量、自异体输血量和妊娠结局。结果预存式自体输血患者采血前、采血后24—72h及分娩后48h和两组分娩前后血常规主要指标差异不具统计学意义(P>0.05)。实施过程对母胎不会产生不良影响,新生儿Apgar评分9—10分。自体输血组的自血回输量明显大于异体输血量。结论预存式自体输血对前置胎盘患者红细胞、血红蛋白、细胞比容和血小板数量不会产生明显的影响,且对母胎安全不会造成威胁。实际操作中可适当增加分娩前预存式自体备血量以减少前置胎盘患者剖宫产异体输血量。     

非医学人员器官捐献意愿调查及原因分析

目的 了解没有医学背景的人群对器官捐献的意愿,并分析其原因.方法 采取便利抽样的方法,随机抽取兰州市没有医学背景者共540名,进行问卷调查,并对问卷结果进行分析.结果 非医学人员捐献器官的意愿在7.7％ ～ 35.9％,其中愿意为家人捐献活体器官者占35.9％,捐献尸体器官者占8.9％,愿意为家人捐献活体器官和尸体器官者占30.8％;愿意为陌生人捐献活体器官者占7.9％,捐献尸体器官者占29.2％,愿意为陌生人捐献活体器官及尸体器官者占7.7％.愿意捐献活体和尸体器官的原因主要是能够拯救生命、延长他人寿命,不愿意捐献活体器官的主要原因为对死亡的害怕和恐惧、担心身体的完整性受损、担心寿命缩短;不愿意捐献尸体器官的主要原因是担心身体的完整性受损、对死亡的害怕和恐惧、受到文化及风俗习惯的影响.结论 非医学人员因缺乏对器官捐献的认知而不愿意捐献器官,提高器官捐献率的有效措施为普及器官捐献及移植的相关知识,提高公众的认知.     

Severe citrate toxicity complicating volunteer apheresis platelet donation

We report a case of severe citrate toxicity during volunteer donor apheresis platelet collection. The donor was a 40-year-old female, first-time apheresis platelet donor. Past medical history was remarkable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and depression. Reported medications included bumetanide, pravastatin, and paroxetine. Thirty minutes from the start of the procedure, the donor noted tingling around the mouth, hands, and feet. She then very rapidly developed acute onset of severe facial and extremity tetany. Empirical treatment with intravenous calcium gluconate was initiated, and muscle contractions slowly subsided over approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The events are consistent with a severe reaction to calcium chelation by sodium citrate anticoagulant resulting in symptomatic systemic hypocalcemia. Upon additional retrospective analysis, it was noted that bumetanide is a loop diuretic that may cause significant hypocalcemia. We conclude that careful screening for medications and underlying conditions predisposing to hypocalcemia is recommended to help prevent severe reactions due to citrate toxicity. Laboratory measurement of pre-procedure serum calcium levels in selected donors may identify cases requiring heightened vigilance. The case also illustrates the importance of maintaining preparedness for managing rare but serious reactions in volunteer apheresis blood donors.     

2018-2022年南昌地区单采血小板捐献情况分析

目的 分析2018-2022年南昌地区单采血小板献血者年龄、性别、职业、献血量变化等特征,为发展本地区单采血小板固定献血队伍提供依据,保障临床供血安全。 方法 收集2018-2022年江西省血液中心血站信息管理系统中单采血小板捐献信息,分年度统计献血人次、年龄、性别、职业、献血量、户籍、献血次数、二次献血占比,并进行比较。 结果 2018-2022年,南昌地区单采血小板捐献人次呈前增后降变化态势,2021年最多,达9662人次;年龄分布上,35岁及以上年龄段单采血小板献血者人次占比达到61.78%后逐步下降,最低至48.70%。18-24岁年龄段单采血小板献血者人次占比由18.35%开始逐步增高,最高至32.71%;男性是主要的单采血小板献血人群,占年度总献血人次77.61%～78.40%;登记职业为其他的人群是主要单采献血人群,占年度总献血人次43.71%-51.56%;单次捐献2U血小板人次比例持续增长,最高达82.03%;年度内献血1次人数占比较高,最高至66.42%;首次单采血小板献血者年度内二次献血比例较低,最高仅为21.48%。 结论 2018-2022年间,南昌地区单采血小板献血事业取得了一定发展,但基础不够牢固,应对风险能力不足。在后疫情时代,应针对本地区单采血小板献血者以年轻人、男性、其它类职业为主的特点,制定定向招募政策;应开发不定期单采血小板献血者、首次单采血小板献血者二次招募动员专项策略,提升二次献血率;应积极贯彻落实全流程优质服务理念,增强献血者粘性;应组建好应急单采献血队伍并定期更新,并确保应急单采献血队伍能联系、能响应以加强应急保障潜力。通过一系列举措,有效组建并扩大本地区单采血小板固定献血者队伍,夯实单采血小板献血事业发展基础,保障地区单采血小板临床供血安全。     

Effects of meteorological factors on blood donation

Background and objectivesBlood donation can be affected by various factors including time, weather, and other events (such as disasters). To better understand how meteorological factors affect blood donation, this study builds a novel predictive model for blood supply in North Taiwan to facilitate better blood supply chain and inventory management.Materials and methodsThis study uses a two-step prediction model that combines generalized additive models (GAM) and time series models to investigate the meteorological and the day-of-the-week effects on blood donation. For the period 2010–2014, blood donation data and weather information of Big Taipei area are described and analyzed. A bootstrap method was also implemented on the residuals produced by the two-step model to construct the prediction intervals.ResultsDaily average temperature and daily cumulative precipitation have non-linear effects on blood donation. By including weather information into the model, the prediction model not only can account for the fluctuation affected by the day-of-the-week effects but also the weather (e.g., temperature and rainfall) effects. The prediction intervals can be used to detect the anomaly donation patterns or to signal possible shortages when there is a forecast of an extreme weather event.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for quantitatively modeling meteorological effects in blood supply chain management, and provide important implications for the authority of a blood center to take necessary intervention and measures to reduce shortages and excessive expirations.     

Vasovagal reactions in blood donors during or immediately after blood donation

The aim of the study was to estimate the type, incidence and causes of donor adverse reactions during and after blood donation in a Greek Blood Bank, where medical staff is responsible for donor selection. 12 173 blood donors were studied for adverse reactions. One-hundred and seven (0.87%) donors had a vasovagal reaction during or after blood donation. Donors who gave blood occasionally had a significant greater incidence of reactions compared with volunteer donors (1.15 versus 0.53%) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between men and women (0.85 versus 0.95%). First-time donors (1.7 versus 0.68%) and those under 30 years (1.15 versus 0.71%] had a significant greater possibility to have a reaction (P < 0.001). Twenty-two of 107 (20.5%) donors had a syncopal reaction. There was not a causative correlation of haematocrit, haemoglobin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and weight in women (except weight in men) in developing a reaction. The stressing experience of phlebotomy was the reason for the higher frequency of a reaction. The incidence of reactions in our donors is lower than in other studies, and the possible reason for this is that only physicians are responsible for the selection of donors and trained personnel are careful of them during the donation process.     

Serum ferritin, blood donation, iron stores and haemochromatosis

Summary. Serum iron and ferritin concentrations were measured in 1,532 regular blood donors from South Wales who were undergoing HLA typing prior to registration on the British Bone Marrow and Platelet Donor Panel. Serum transferrin concentrations were determined for donors with serum iron concentrations > 24 µmol/1. There were 25 donors with transferrin saturations > 50% and 11 with transferrin saturations > 60%. There were five donors with serum ferritin concentrations > 200 µg/1 (women) or > 300 µg/1 (men). Two of the male donors had transferrin saturations > 50% and serum ferritin >300 µg/1 on repeat blood samples and are being treated by venesection. Donors with HLA-A3 did not differ from those without A3 in serum iron or ferritin concentrations. Even in the group of donors who were apparently homozygous for A3 there were neither abnormal serum iron nor ferritin concentrations.
Although it is well established that measurements of transferrin saturation are required to detect homozygous haemochromatosis ( HFE ) in its earlier stages, the number of 'false-positive' results is likely to be unacceptably high for screening blood donors. Serum ferritin assays should identify donors with HFE and iron overload before the onset of liver damage. With two million regular donors and 300,000 new donors each year, a significant proportion of the U.K. population will be screened within 10 years. The assay of serum ferritin identifies donors with low levels of storage iron who are at risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia. Furthermore, donation frequency may be increased for those donors with higher ferritin concentrations when blood supplies are low.