Factors that motivate and hinder blood donation in Greece

Donations in Greece are insufficient to cover the high transfusion needs arising from large numbers of thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia patients and the implementation of new surgical techniques. Efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, and to render blood supplies safer and manageable must focus on recruiting and retaining more volunteer donors and on converting the large pool of replacement donors. The aim of the study was to gain insight into public perception regarding the risks of donation and transfusion and to identify the factors that would motivate more people in Greece to regularly donate blood. Questionnaires were distributed to 1,600 donors at the blood bank and visitors to hospitals at 11 locations across the country. Data on demographics, donation behaviour, incentives, risk perception and attitudes towards donation and transfusion were analysed separately for volunteer and replacement donors and non-donors. The results showed that women and young people donate the least in Greece. Also, many donors do not donate because they are not reminded to. A small percentage of donors confessed to having concealed part of the truth to background questions. Overall, incentives to donate were considered important and included future availability of blood for self or family, paid leave from work and free blood tests. Recruitment and retention efforts should include better communication with current donors, and raising awareness among eligible donors. Staff should be educated in soliciting information from potential donors, and incentives should be better aligned to avoid conflict with ethical values and ensure honesty in the prescreening process.     

湖北省武汉市居民无偿献血现状及思考

目的通过对湖北省武汉市无偿献血现况及影响因素的调查，为提出品牌营销策略提供基础。方法于2007年6～7月对武汉市部分地区1435名不同人群进行现场问卷调查。结果回收有效问卷1423份。在1423名被调查者中有372名参加过献血，占26．4％。愿意参加献血的1177人中，有539人（45．8％）认为参加无偿献血是帮助患者，是有益社会的高尚行为；而参加过献血的372人中，有180人（48．4％）认为捐献血液救助他人值得去做。结论无偿献血的宣教力度仍应增强，以吸引更多的人参加无偿献血；对再次献血者也应有更多鼓励，以提高他们对献血的忠诚度。     

Asymptomatic carriage of malaria parasites in blood donors in Yaoundé

Background: Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusion, but there is paucity of data concerning transfusion‐transmitted malaria in Cameroun. Objective: To determine prevalence of malaria infection and association with epidemiological and clinical data obtained from donors' responses. Methods: Microscopic examination of stained thick and thin blood smears for the detection, quantification and specification of Plasmodium sp was performed on 493 blood donors in two main hospitals in Yaoundé during October and November 2007. Results: Overall 6·5% of blood donors were detected positive for Plasmodium sp infection: 90·6% was Plasmodium falciparum and 9·4% was Plasmodium malariae. Parasite counts ranged from 80 to 800 µL^?1 with a median of 320 µL^?1. Asexual and sexual forms were found in 75·9 and 24·1% of cases, respectively. Age, sex, type of blood donor (voluntary non‐remunerated vs familial/replacement) and fate of blood donation (selected vs discarded) did not affect the prevalence of malaria carriage. The lack of malaria prophylaxis as well as the manifestation of malaria symptoms within 2 weeks and 1 month preceding blood donation were significantly associated with high frequency of parasites carriage. Conclusion: Malaria parasites carriage is frequent among blood donors in Yaoundé. These data seem to describe high‐risk donor profile and may help improving blood safety related to transfusion‐transmitted malaria in Cameroon.     

The impact of health professionals' attitudes about being registered donors on the availability of organs

The mismatch between supply and demand in organ donation is well documented. Although there are many reasons for this mismatch, failure of health professionals to identify potential donors or to gain consent from bereaved relatives is considered to be significant. Such failures may be due to the attitudes of health professionals themselves towards becoming organ donors. This study focuses on the level of commitment shown by health care professionals and their student equivalents to organ donation, and assesses the ways in which they identify themselves as potential organ donors. These findings are evaluated and suggestions for future practice are offered.     

Characteristics of blood donors and donated blood in sub-Saharan Francophone Africa

BACKGROUND: The importance of blood safety in public health was recognized long ago, and data are essential to plan strategies to improve the status. This study aims to obtain data on blood donor and blood donation characteristics that would complement blood safety data from national and international organizations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to seven Francophone countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, and Rwanda) and was structured to obtain objective data on blood donors and donated blood and in administrative and technical organization.
RESULTS: The results reflect a poor level of organization of blood transfusion centers in large regions of the African continent, insufficient supply of blood products, high prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections, limited financial resources, a lack of well-trained personnel, and cultural obstacles. Six countries had less than 50% of their personnel trained in transfusion medicine. Only one country had the entire standard operating procedure written. Female donors represented less than 30% of the donors and the range of percentage of hepatitis B found in donors was 2.76% to 18.96%.
CONCLUSION: The inclusion of these regions in future blood safety surveys and in the development of national blood transfusion programs is essential and will undoubtedly require the assistance of international organizations.     

Reducing replacement donors in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and affordability

In 1975, the World Health Assembly recommended that blood for transfusion should come from voluntary, non-remunerated donors; yet, in Africa, 75-80% of blood for transfusion still comes from hospital-based replacement donors. Although comprehensive economic data are scarce, evidence indicates that blood from voluntary donors recruited and screened at centralized transfusion centres, costs four to eight times as much as blood from a hospital-based, replacement donor system. Donor recruitment, quality assurance systems and distribution mechanisms in the centralized system are major reasons for the cost difference. There are concerns about the sustainability of centralized voluntary donor systems and their compatibility with the levels of health care that exist in many poor countries yet burdening patients' families with the responsibility of finding replacement blood donors will exacerbate poverty and reduce the safety of the blood supply. There are measures that can be introduced into hospital-based systems to improve safe blood supply in Africa but their effectiveness in different contexts needs to be evaluated.     

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.     

The impact of blood campaigns using mobile blood collection drives on blood supply management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background and objectivesBlood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure for transfusion-dependent patients. Therefore, maintaining blood supply is extremely crucial. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected blood supply by affecting donor attendance. This study aimed to investigate blood supply and demand during the pandemic and demonstrate the positive impact of blood donation campaigns through mobile blood drives.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted based on data of the blood bank at Prince Muhammad bin Nasser Hospital (PMBNH) in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Data on the attendance of blood donors at PMBNH were retrieved and retrospectively reviewed to assess the impact of mobile blood drives during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsBlood supply and donor attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped by 17.32 %. However, blood supply increased between March and May 2020 due to national blood donation campaigns conducted through mobile blood drives. The drop in blood supply after 3 months of mobile blood drives significantly decreased to 0.17 % (P < 0.01). This means the blood supply was increased as follows; (March 2020 = 32.67 %, April 2020 = 45.54 %, and May 2020 = 19.47 %). On the other hand, blood demand decreased by 12.83 %.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the significant impact of establishing blood donation campaigns through mobile blood drives. Our results showed that the strategy can contribute to sufficient blood units to patients during pandemics and emergencies.     

Easy come,easy go. Retention of blood donors

Retention of blood donors has benefits over recruitment of new blood donors. Retention is defined as preventing donors from lapsing and eventually becoming inactive. This review paper discusses literature on the importance of efforts to retain donors, specifically new donors, since lapsing is most common before the fifth donation. Studies have found that intention to donate, attitudes towards blood donation and self‐efficacy (does one feel capable of donating blood) are predictors of blood donation. Feelings of ‘warm glow’ predict donation behaviour better than altruism. The existing literature further suggests that first time donors can be retained by paying extra attention to adverse events (vasovagal reactions and fatigue). These events could be reduced by drinking water and muscle tension exercises. Feelings of anxiety (in regular donors) and stress can further prevent donors from returning. Planning donations amongst busy lives can help retention, and suggestions are given on which interventions might be helpful.     

Analysis of blood donor return behaviour using survival regression methods

The acquisition of a sufficient and safe supply of blood products is required to support modern medical care; in most countries this has meant a reliance on voluntary, nonremunerated blood donors. Recent reported shortages in the United States and elsewhere have highlighted the need for a method to measure and evaluate blood donor return behaviour. This paper describes a framework within which standard time-to-outcome methods can be used to analyse blood donor return behaviour. Survival curves and relative risk estimates derived from a proportional hazards analysis of a large administrative dataset are reported. In addition to assessing the effect of sex, age and other key donor demographic factors on the probability of a subsequent donation attempt, the analysis reveals that the relative risks are time-dependent. This suggests that the likelihood of attempting a subsequent donation may also depend on the time since the index donation attempt. The implications for blood collection agencies and transfusion researchers of this new perspective on donor behaviour are discussed.     

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.     

献血者铁缺乏:现状与管理

随着全球无偿献血的发展,人们对献血者铁缺乏风险的认识也在不断提高.目前已知献血的唯一明显缺点就是潜在的铁缺乏风险.因此,预防献血者铁缺乏的发生十分必要.近20年内,在输血医学伦理规范的大背景下,遵循对献血者的尊重和无伤害原则,促成了基于国家和地区层面针对献血者铁代谢管理实施干预的发展.近10年美国血库联合会(AABB)...     

Population-Based Analysis of the Impact of Demographics on the Current and Future Blood Supply in the Saarland

BackgroundThe federal state of Saarland (SL) is experiencing the fastest demographic change in the western part of Germany. In this study, we analyzed retrospective data on the current and future supply of red blood cell concentrates (RBC) in this region and compared it to the current and future RBC demand in SL hospitals.MethodsThe projection of the SL blood supply in 2030 was modeled based on SL demographics for age distribution and donation frequency of donors, and the RBC transfusion data for in-house patients. These results were compared to published data on the transfusion demand from the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MV).ResultsFor the period January 1 to December 31, 2017, a total of 43,205 whole blood donations were collected. The donation frequency in SL never exceeded 80 per 1,000 inhabitants and was well below the numbers in MV. Thirty-one percent of the donors were responsible for 53.5% of the donations, and donors older than 45 years of age contributed highly to the total blood supply. In addition, 40,614 RBC transfusions at 10 SL hospitals were analyzed representing nearly all RBC transfusions for in-house patients in this region. RBC transfusions per 1,000 inhabitants increased with age from 24 (50–54) to 140 (80–84) years. Facing an already existing structural deficit of nearly 8,200 RBC in 2017, the projection predicts a dramatic increase in the regional deficit to >18,300 RBC in 2030.ConclusionOur results on RBC demand in SL are comparable but not identical to those projected for the region of MV in eastern Germany. Due to the ongoing demographic changes in Germany as a whole, regular regional monitoring of RBC demand and the age structure of blood recipients and donors should be implemented to allow for better strategic planning in blood transfusion services and hospitals.     

Iranian blood donors' motivations and their influencing factors

Aim: One of the challenges faced by blood transfusion services is the motivation of blood donors. The purpose of this study was to define the motivations of Iranian donors. Methodology: A total of 16 955 volunteers were studied to evaluate their motivation for blood donation in 2003 and 2004. A questionnaire was designed covering socio‐demographic characteristics, history of blood donation and a list of reasons for donating. The donor physician determined the donor's motivation after an interview. Motivation was classified as internal (altruistic and religious beliefs) and external motives. Results: The main motivations were 6629 (39·1%) altruistic, 6552 (38·6%) good for one's health and 1931 (11·4%) religious beliefs. It was shown that 8560 volunteers (50·5%) had internal motivations and 8395 (49·5%) had external motivations. Internal motivations were significantly higher in women, regular and educated donors. Conclusion: This study showed that internal motives are the main reason for blood donation in Iranian donors, especially in female, regular and high‐educated donors. Thus, altruistic and religious messages can be emphasized in recruiting and retaining donors, particularly in this group. Nearly half of the donors were motivated by external factors – mainly to improve their own health status, especially in older donors. This may be due to a psychological impact in which they feel improvement in their general health. As voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation is defined without considering the motivational factor, one might consider a new term such as ‘internal motivated voluntary blood donors' in accordance with their motivation and efforts could be centered about recruiting these specific donors.     

承德市 2008 ~2013 年无偿献血现状分析简

目的了解承德市无偿献血现状，挖掘更多的潜在献血者，为献血者招募策略制定提供依据。方法收集2008—2013年承德市无偿献血者献血信息，统计各采血点献血人次、献血总量及400ml献血比率等数据。结果承德市2008—2013年共采血164451人次，县城采血点献血人数达到73375人次，占献血总人数的44．6％，献血量占到总献血量的49．5％，均排在第一位。结论在用血量快速增长、血源招募相对乏力的情况下，保持并提高400ml献血比率是保障供血的关键。同时，根据各采血点的特点，采取多种宣传形式，提倡献血过程中的人性化服务，打动潜在献血者，提高招募实效，才能确保充足的血液供应。     

Evidence‐based selection criteria to protect blood donors

A safe and adequate blood supply depends on healthy, volunteer blood donors. Blood centers have instituted various screening procedures in an effort to determine that donors are free of diseases that can be transmitted to patients by blood transfusion and are able to tolerate the collection procedure without experiencing significant complications. This review focuses on selection criteria intended to minimize the risk to the blood donor. Defining a rational, evidence‐based approach to donor selection is crucial not only to take reasonable precautions to protect the donors' health but also to eliminate practices that lead to the unnecessary deferral of large numbers of people without improving the safety of the donation process. Donor selection criteria, including predonation pulse and blood pressure, donor weight and total blood volume, minimum hemoglobin and donation interval, are considered against the available evidence that support or suggest the need to modify the current approach to protect blood donor health. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Blood,organ and bone marrow donation: Reporting on the attitudes,related to socio-emotional determinants,among nursing students in Greece

Greece is one of the countries with the lowest occurrence of blood, organ, and bone marrow donors. Sociodemographic and other psycho-emotional features such as self-efficacy seem to be linked to attitudes regarding registering as a donor. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes of nursing students regarding blood, organ and bone marrow donation and socio-emotional background. The study was conducted among the students of the Nursing Department at the University of Thessaly in Central Greece. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 480 students and 345 students (response rate: 71.8%) completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic information, and six questions, concerning knowledge, attitudes and practices towards blood, organ and bone marrow donation. Emotional Discomfort Scale (EmoD), an 8-item tool was also used in order to identify if emotional discomfort through daily activities influences beliefs and responses of the participants. Only one out of five participants had donated blood voluntarily while those who had been already registered as organ and bone marrow donors were quite few, 1.4% and 6.4% respectively. Moreover, only 15.1% of the participants were aware of the legislative framework concerning organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. Multivariate analysis showed that age, nationality and routine emotional discomfort were determinants of blood and organ donation composite score. The use of EmoD Scale could help professionals in health care and social fields to better screen for emotional complexity to become donor, and act in order to positively alter people’s attitudes.     

Altruism and payment in blood donation

Paid blood donation still has its defenders, who cite economic doctrines denying the existence of altruism per se, the inability of most countries with exclusively voluntary donations to achieve self-sufficiency and the supposedly successful use of selected groups of paid donors. This paper argues that blood donation is an example of genuine altruism where the altruistic behaviour is incorporated into the self as a role. Unpaid donation is proven to be much safer for receivers and supply problems can be attributed fundamentally to inefficiencies in the organization of transfusion services. Voluntary and non-remunerated donation may be sufficient for a country/region to cover all its blood product needs, but requires an efficient organization and the elimination of "spurious altruism", nonmonetary forms of compensation that harm the social image of voluntary donation and obstruct its further development.     

Blood transfusion practice in a rural hospital in Northern Ghana,Damongo, West Gonja District

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion in rural sub‐Saharan Africa presents special challenges. Transfusions are primarily given for emergencies—life‐threatening blood loss or anemia; blood is usually collected from family or replacement donors; and facilities to store an adequate reserve in a hospital bank are constrained. We report the everyday and organizational practices in a medium‐sized district hospital in Northern Ghana. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Information and data on blood transfusion practices at West Gonja Hospital, Damongo, were available from the laboratory reports, from day books and workbooks, and from direct observation in the following four areas: blood collection and blood donors; blood donation testing; blood storage and logistics; and clinical transfusion practice, adverse events, and follow‐up. RESULTS: The hospital serves a rural community of 86,000. In 2009, a total of 719 units of whole blood were collected, a rate of 8.36 units per 1000 population. All donors were family or replacement donors. Positivity rates for infectious disease markers were 7.5% (64/853) for hepatitis B surface antigen, 6.1% (50/819) for hepatitis C virus, 3.9% (33/846) for human immunodeficiency virus, and 4.7% (22/468) for syphilis. Supply of laboratory materials was sometimes problematic, especially for temperature‐critical materials. Difficulties in sample labeling, storage of blood and laboratory supplies, and disposal of waste were also incurred by operational, material, and financial constraints. Follow‐up for outcomes of transfusion is not currently feasible. CONCLUSIONS: The operational, demographic, and financial environment pertaining in a rural hospital in Northern Ghana differs substantially from that in which much of current blood transfusion practice and technology evolved. Considerable effort and innovation will be needed to address successfully the challenges posed.