A Cross-Sectional Study of Blood Donors' Psychological Characteristics over 8 Weeks

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that blood donation impacts blood donors'' psychological state, with either positive or negative effects, such as feeling more energetic or more exhausted. It has not yet been described how long these effects last.Materials and MethodsThis prospective cohort study consisted of a qualitative and a quantitative part: (1) Psychological characteristics which changed after blood donation were identified by structured interviews of regular whole blood donors (n = 42). Based on this, a questionnaire addressing 7 psychological dimensions was established. (2) The psychological state of 100 blood donors was assessed after blood donation by applying the questionnaire 15–30 min before and during donation, as well as 15–30 min, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, 1 week, and 8 weeks after donation. The resulting changes were summarized to a score. Furthermore, potential correlations of the score with pre-donation blood pressure, hemoglobin, or body mass index were calculated.ResultsSeven items were identified which changed in at least 25% of blood donors (mood, concentration, satisfaction, resilience, spirit of initiative, physical well-being, energy level). In the 100 blood donors, the well-being score increased (positive effects, n = 23), showed minor changes (n = 53), or decreased (negative effects, n = 24). The positive effects lasted for about 1 week and the negative effects for 3 days.ConclusionWhile the frequency of psychological effects following blood donation identified by our study was comparable to others, the changes of the psychological state in our donors were traceable for a longer period than previously acknowledged.     

The effect of ferritin-guided iron supplementation among Danish female first-time blood donors

Background

The identification of blood donors at risk of developing low hemoglobin (Hb) and subsequent intervention is expected to reduce donation-induced iron deficiency and low Hb among blood donors. This study explores the effects of ferritin-guided iron supplementation for female first-time donors implemented in four of five administrative regions in Denmark.

Study Design and Methods

We included 45,919 female first-time donors in this study. Hb values were determined in donations of included donors during a 2-year follow-up period. For each region, an intervention group (after implementation) and a control group (before implementation) were defined. The primary outcome was Hb below the donation threshold (7.8 mmol/L ~ 12.5 g/dL) at the time of donation, in the control group, and the intervention group, using logistic regression. The secondary outcome was the number of donations per donor given during the follow-up period.

Results

We observed a statistically significant decrease in the risk of female first-time donors experiencing a donation with low Hb after ferritin-guided iron supplementation was introduced: Odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71–0.95. We found a statistically significant increase in the number of donations per donor during the follow-up period after intervention; rate ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08.

Discussion

Ferritin-guided iron supplementation led to a significant reduction in the occurrence of low hemoglobin (Hb) levels among Danish female first-time blood donors. The intervention was additionally associated with an increase in the number of donations per donor.     

The psychology of blood donation: current research and future directions

With an ever-increasing demand on blood supplies worldwide, there is an immense need to ensure a safe and sufficient supply of blood products. However, recruiting and retaining blood donors remain key challenges for blood agencies. In an attempt to address these problems, researchers have identified a range of sociodemographic, organizational, physiological, and psychological factors that influence people's willingness to donate blood. Although past research has largely focused on donor recruitment, in particular, demographic variables associated with blood donation behavior, the issue of donor retention has become increasingly important. A growing number of studies have also highlighted the role of psychological factors in explaining, predicting, and promoting blood donation behavior. In line with recent trends in blood donation research, the present article reviews the contributions of, and current directions in, psychological research on blood donation attitudes and behavior, with special emphasis on donor return and repeat blood donation behavior. Although there is overlap between factors that predict the initiation and the maintenance of blood donation behavior, it is suggested that changes in motivation and the development of self-identity as a blood donor are crucial for understanding the processes whereby first-time donors become repeat donors.     

音乐对初次无偿献血者的干预效果观察

目的:探讨音乐对初次无偿献血者静脉穿刺疼痛、一次自愿采集400m l献血量及降低献血反应的影响。方法:将初次无偿献血者随机分为对照组与实验组各240名,两组采血程序相同,实验组加用音乐进行干预,观察每组静脉穿刺疼痛及一次自愿采集400m l献血量的比例。结果:实验组献血者疼痛献血反应发生率明显低于对照组,一次自愿献血400m l采集率明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:音乐能分散无偿献血者的注意力,减轻疼痛,降低献血反应,提高400m l采集率,对保留、招募献血者,促进无偿献血事业顺利发展有重要意义。     

How Can We Improve Retention of the First-Time Donor? A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence

Blood products are critical to health systems and donations by voluntary nonremunerated donors are recommended. Worldwide, however, only around 5% of those eligible to donate do so and around half of those never return to donate again. This review focuses on what deters first-time donors, what predicts their retention, and what interventions may promote retention of this group. A comprehensive search of relevant databases identified 9 studies investigating motives and deterrents of first-time donors, 14 studies investigating predictors for first-time donors (13 whole blood [WB] and 2 plasmapheresis), and 15 studies (in 14 published articles) detailing interventions conducted on first-time donors. Drawing on an established blood donation taxonomy, studies were classified by 2 independent raters. Interventions were also classified into traditional, behavioral, or social science interventions. With only 2 eligible studies among first-time plasmapheresis donors, analyses focused on WB donors. First-time WB donors reported benevolent and collectivistic motivations, as well as personal benefits to commence WB donation. Self-reported deterrents have typically not been examined. Intention predicted first-time donor retention with intention determined by attitudes and a sense of (perceived behavioral) control. However, anxiety, adverse events, and deferrals all deterred retention. Traditional interventions, such as reminders and incentives, are widespread yet had only a small effect on return of first-time donors. Although behavioral science interventions such as fluid loading are effective, the strongest effect for the return of first-time donors was found when individual psychological support was provided. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the factors associated with the commencement and continuation of first WB donations. The current review revealed that self-reported motivators are typically not effective, and most successful predictive factors identified have not been translated into interventions. Future work would do well to identify, manage, and meet donors' expectations along with developing more individualized donation experiences. Blood donor research should delineate donor career stages; addressing first-time donor retention will support stable panels for blood collection agencies.     

First-time blood donors: demographic trends

BACKGROUND: With changing demographics of the United States population and the continuous need to recruit new donors, it is important to monitor the demographic profile of first-time donors and to evaluate changes in the donor pool to improve recruitment targeting. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: First-time whole blood (n = 901,862) donors at five United States blood centers between 1991 and 1996 were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of first-time donors appears to be decreasing. Over the 6-year period, there was an overall increase in the proportion of Hispanic and other minority first-time donors and a concurrent decrease in the proportion of white donors at Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study centers. Other variables, including age, sex, and education, did not show a consistent trend. CONCLUSION: The demographic profile of first-time donors is changing. These data highlight the importance for blood centers to continuously monitor the donor population. A better understanding of the donor population may help blood centers adjust their donor outreach, recruitment, and retention programs. New recruitment efforts appear needed to counter general apathy toward donating blood, and minority groups appear to be receptive to becoming blood donors.     

Retention of "safe" blood donors. The Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study

BACKGROUND: There are obvious advantages to increasing donor retention. However, for reasons of blood safety, certain donors may, in fact, be more desirable to retain than others. “Safe” donors are defined as those who provided a blood donation that was negative on all laboratory screening tests and who subsequently reported no behavioral risks in response to an anonymous survey. This study identifies the most important factors affecting the intention of “safe” donors to provide another donation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An anonymous survey asking about donation history, sexual history, injecting drug use, and recent donation experience was mailed to 50,162 randomly selected allogeneic donors (including directed donors) who gave blood from April through July or from October through December 1993 at one of the five United States blood centers participating in the Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study. Before mailing, questionnaires were coded to designate donors with nonreactive laboratory screening tests at their most recent donation. RESULTS: A total of 34,726 donors (69%) responded, with substantially higher response among repeat donors. According to reported intentions only, the vast majority of “safe” donors indicated a high likelihood of donating again within the next 12 months. Only 3.4 percent reported a low likelihood of donating again. A comparison of those likely to return and those unlikely to return reveals significant differences in demographics and in ratings of the donation experience. A higher proportion of those unlikely to return were first-time donors, minority-group donors, and donors with less education. The highest projected loss among “safe” donors was seen for those who gave a fair to poor assessment of their treatment by blood center staff or of their physical well-being during or after donating. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that efforts to improve donors' perceptions of their donation experience, as well as attention to the physical effects of blood donation, may aid in the retention of both repeat and first-time donors.     

北京市街头无偿献血者人群结构分析

目的 探讨北京市街头无偿献血者人群结构,为本市采供血机构招募街头无偿献血者提供参考.方法 选择2013年1月至2015年12月,于中国人民解放军总医院街头采血车无偿献血的9 408例街头无偿献血者为研究对象.根据街头无偿献血者填写的《无偿献血登记表》中的性别、年龄、无偿献血时间资料,以及血液初筛结果中的血型结果,采用Excel软件分别对不同性别、年龄段、ABO血型,以及献血月份的无偿献血者人数进行统计.采用统计学方法比较2013-2015年北京市街头无偿献血者的性别、年龄及ABO血型构成比.结果 ①2013-2015年9 408例北京市街头无偿献血者中,男性献血者为6 327例(67.3％),女性为3 081例(32.7％),男、女性献血者比例为2.1∶1;2013-2015年无偿献血者性别构成比比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=2.30,P=0.316).②本组无偿献血者中,以年龄为18～40岁青、壮年无偿献血者为主,所占比例为77.3％(7 271/9 408),年龄为＞50～59岁的老年无偿献血者构成比呈逐年增加趋势.2013-2015年,各年龄段构成比比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=35.45,P＜0.001).③本组无偿献血者中,O型、B型、A型、AB型无偿献血者所占比例依次下降,分别为31.1％(2 928/9 408)、32.7％(3 073/9 408)、25.9(2 433/9 408)、10.3％(974/9 408).2013-2015年,各ABO血型构成比比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=6.73,P=0.347).④2013-2015年,每年3至5月为北京市街头无偿献血的高峰期,而每年1至2月为街头无偿献血的低谷期,6至9月街头无偿献血人数相对稳定.结论 北京市街头无偿献血者以青、壮年献血者为主,街头无偿献血呈“季节性”变化规律.建立适应无偿献血者人群结构特点的招募方法,在无偿献血高峰季积极组织各种献血活动,有利于推动街头采血工作健康发展.     

佛山市民献血动机及献血行为影响因素调查分析

目的了解佛山市民献血动机及献血行为的主要影响因素,针对性制定招募策略。方法采取分层整群抽样法,抽取佛山市583例非献血者和554例献血者分别进行无偿献血影响因素的问卷调查。采用χ~2检验与Logistic回归等方法进行分析。结果献血人群特征为男性较多,年龄20~30岁,高中/中专学历,月收入1 000~3 000元;献血的主要动机是"奉献爱心和社会责任";献血行为受"奉献爱心和社会责任""给多次献血者颁发证书和勋章""害怕献血会感染疾病和影响健康""怕痛""献血地点交通不方便"等因素影响。结论激励措施、阻碍措施、心理因素、献血服务等因素都会影响市民献血,应针对不同人群,制订不同的招募策略。     

成都地区街头固定献血点全血采集情况分析

目的 探讨成都地区不同时段,不同地域,不同人群,结合不同招募手段在固定献血点全血的采集情况.方法 成都地区2014～2018年街头固定献血点全血采集数据,按照工作日和周末及法定节假日,主城区和郊县,初次和重复献血人次,本地户籍和非本地户籍情况进行统计学分析.工作日以固定献血点现场招募全血献血者,周末及法定节假日以现场招...     

Low ferritin levels indicate the need for iron supplementation: strategy to minimize iron-depletion in regular blood donors

Iron deficiency is a common problem in regular blood donors which can be prevented by timely iron supplementation. Consequently, these donors should be supplied with oral iron in good time. We evaluated the need to use ferritin rather than or in addition to haemoglobin to screen iron deficiency in blood donors. To this end, serum ferritin was measured routinely every 10th donation in 632 long-term and 171 first-time donors. Furthermore, donors with ferritin < 15 microg L-1 were supplemented with iron. The supplementation efficiency was assessed by follow-up haemoglobin levels over the course of five donations in blood donors with high donation frequency. Our results showed that ferritin decreases after 10 donations and with the increase of donation frequency. In 26% of regular donors, ferritin levels were < 15 microg L-1 and 12% of them were anaemic due to low haemoglobin. After iron supplementation, haemoglobin was raised rapidly in donors with initially low haemoglobin, and thus donor deferment was never indicated. In conclusion, regular ferritin measurement is a useful indicator for iron depletion in blood donors. Our data suggested the usefulness of ferritin screening in first-time donors and regular donors with low haemoglobin levels within the normal range.     

2012-2015年山东省东营市个体和团体无偿献血者的血液不合格影响因素分析

目的 探讨山东省东营市个体和团体无偿献血者的血液不合格影响因素的差异,从而保证献血者和血液安全.方法 选择2012年1月至2015年12月东营市中心血站的91 534例无偿献血者作为研究对象.按照献血者的献血组织模式不同,将其分为个体献血者组(n=66 012)和团体献血者组(n=25 522).按照《血站技术操作规程》(2012版、2015版),《血站质量管理规范》(2006版)及《血站实验室质量管理规范》(2006版)的相关规定,对献血者的血液进行丙氨酸氨基转氨酶(ALT)、乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)、抗-丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)、抗-梅毒螺旋体(TP)及抗-人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)5项血液检验性因素项目进行检测.按照《全血及成分血质量要求》(GB 18469-2012)及国际输血协会(ISBT)的相关规定,对血液的采血量、脂肪血发生情况,以及献血者的献血反应3项非血液检验性因素项目进行调查.并且采用x2检验和趋势x2检验的统计学方法对各个项目的不合率进行比较.结果 ①2012-2015年,东营市献血者血液的ALT、HBsAg、抗HCV、抗-TP、抗-HIV、献血反应、脂肪血及采血量不足项目不合格率基本稳定,差异均无统计学意义(x2趋势=0.25、-0.14、-0.12、0.09、0.13、0.41、0.83、0.28,P＞0.05).5项血液检验性因素项目中,ALT的不合格率最高,为3.31％(3 032/91 534),并且差异有统计学意义(x2=127 560.72,P＜0.05);3项非血液检验性因素项目中,脂肪血的不合格率最高,为6.52％(5 969/91 534),并且差异有统计学意义(x2=169 443.63,P＜0.05).②个体献血组血液检验性因素项目的总不合格率为3.90％(2 573/66 012),低于团体献血组的5.70％(1 455/25 522),并且差异有统计学意义(x2=138.20,P＜0.05);2组献血者ALT、HBsAg、抗-HCV、抗-TP、抗-HIV的不合格率分别比较,差异亦均有统计学意义(x2 =345.42、31.31、24.55、14.22、4.01,P＜0.05).③个体献血组非血液检验性因素项目的总不合格率为9.26％(6 115/66 012),低于团体献血组的15.9％(4 067/25 522),并且差异有统计学意义(x2=828.72,P＜0.05);2组献血者献血反应、脂肪血、采血量不足项目的不合格率分别比较,差异亦均有统计学意义(x2 =162.47、603.23、828.72,P＜0.05).结论 针对个体献血者,应加强对其献血前健康征询,从低危人群中采集更为安全的血液.针对团体献血者,建议采取减少每次献血人数,或者增加采血车及工作人员的方式进行血液采集,杜绝人员过于集中的采集方式,降低献血反应和采血量不足;并且加强团体献血前的注意事项宣传,降低脂肪血和ALT不合格率.     

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.     

Demographic characteristics and risks for transfusion-transmissible infection among blood donors in Xinjiang autonomous region, People's Republic of China

BACKGROUND: The recruitment and retention of voluntary, nonremunerated blood donors continues to be a challenge in China. Understanding donor demographics and donor characteristics is crucial for any blood center in developing strategies to recruit potential donors. STUDY DESIGN and METHODS: The study population included all 29,784 whole blood donors from January 1 to December 31, 2003, at the Urumqi City Blood Center or one of its mobile blood collection buses. Demographic data, location, and frequency of donation and results of testing for transfusion-transmissible infection (TTI) were evaluated. RESULTS: The typical blood donor in Urumqi is male, less than 36 years of age, and Han Chinese; has at least a high school education; is a first-time donor; and donated at a mobile blood collection bus. The majority, 71 percent, were first-time donors. Among all donors, the seroprevalence rate of TTI was 3.5 percent for first-time donors, 2.7 percent for donors who donated twice, and 2.1 percent for donors who had donated three or more times. Han Chinese had lower seroprevalence rates of TTIs than ethnic minorities. Lower seroprevalence rates of TTIs were found among donors at mobile buses than at the blood centers. CONCLUSION: Similar to other donor populations, higher rates of TTIs were observed among first-time donors, and the prevalence decreased among repeated donors. One possible strategy for improving the safety of the blood supply might be for the blood center to recruit a cadre of donors who donate repeatedly, instead of relying on campaigns to recruit new donors from workplaces at each donation cycle.     

Motivating first-time,group O blood donors to return: Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of a post-donation telephone interview

First-time blood donors are essential to the US donor pool, providing nearly a third of all donations. Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of obstacles to repeat donation and new donors are extremely difficult to retain. Because each donor experiences a unique set of deterrents, we developed a post-donation interview based on motivational interview principles in order to flexibly address individual barriers. The primary aim of this randomized clinical trial is to examine retention of first-time, group O blood donors who are randomly assigned to receive either a telephone-delivered interview with motivational and action planning components or a standard-of-care control call approximately six weeks after their donation. Measures of donation attitude, perceived behavioral control, intention, and motivational autonomy will be measured before and after the telephone contact using online surveys, and donation attempts will be tracked for one year using blood center donor databases. We hypothesize that, compared to controls, donors who receive the telephone interview will be more likely to make a donation attempt over the following year. In addition, we will examine possible mechanisms of action of the interview using key predictors of donation behavior as described by Self Determination Theory (i.e., motivational autonomy) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e., attitude, perceived behavioral control, and intention). Results of this intervention may help to support a novel strategy to enhance retention of selected blood donors in an effort to better meet the nation's blood supply needs.     

广州血液中心无偿献血者血液不合格原因及反馈

目的探讨减少血液报废的对策,以及采供血机构向不合格献血者反馈信息中应注意的问题。方法对2011—2013年度广州市无偿献血者中的所有不合格献血者的信息进行分析。结果 3年间,广州市无偿献血者不合格率为4.51%;不合格血液的性别构成(男性占80.22%)、文化程度构成(主要为初中~大学本科学历)随时间无明显变化;年龄均呈正偏态分布(中位数28岁,四分位数23~35岁),年龄中位数有增大趋势;首次献血者所占百分比有逐年增加趋势;在各实验室指标中,乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性率有上升趋势,而人类免疫缺陷病毒抗体(抗-HIV)阳性率有下降趋势。结论针对不合格原因,做好单位反馈与社会公示,完善信息登记,解释不合格血液的原因并提出建议和补救措施,避免血液浪费。     

Emotional support to apheresis donors: Effect and implication

It is widely accepted that well-being and satisfaction are unavoidably interlinked requirements that predispose donors to become regular. Detecting in advance even the mildest symptoms of discomfort during first donation, that may simply be the result of an unknown experience, is useful in preventing more disturbing symptoms (mens sana in corpore sano). Being able to recognize any form of uneasiness, even when not immediately apparent, creates in donors the awareness that staff is professionally skilled and really interested in their safety and comfort. This reinforces the staff/donor relationship and gives donors the chance to keep their calm and to learn how to manage disturbing emotions. Emotional support given to first-time platelet familiar donors during donation prevented or mitigated the onset of vaso-vagal symptoms and also freed positive emotions that reinforced the desire to donate. As a result, 62% of these donors, informed about the shortage of voluntary platelet donors, spontaneously gave their address contact to be called also for non-familiar recipients. The application of the psychological approach in Italy increased the rate of donor return to 97% and its partial application in Serbia was useful in converting familiar donors into voluntary ones.     

北京地区56-60周岁全血献血人群的特征分析

目的研究分析56-60岁献血人群的基本特征,为我国安全实施推广高龄献血者的招募保留提供数据支持和参考。方法回顾性分析2012年7月1日-2016年6月30日在北京市红十字血液中心献血者的资料,将18-55岁献血人群为对照组,56-60岁人群为研究对象,分析其献血次数、性别、献血频率、献血量选择、延迟献血率、献血不良反应率等特征。结果观察期间年龄在56-60岁之间献血者共4 134名参加登记献血,其中男2 692名,女1 442名,共计登记献血次数为5 916人次,登记献血频率(5 916/4 134,1.431)高于对照组的(1 220 889/1 176 193,1.038),且每年献血人次逐年增加;400 mL献血量比(3 937/1 979, 1.989)显著低于对照组(1 070 718/150 171, 7.130);延迟献血率和献血反应发生率与18-55岁年龄组无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论既往无献血反应的56-60周岁献血者继续献血是安全的,其献血量逐年增多,针对这部分人群的献血动员招募是我国献血人群管理的重要组成部分,应针对该人群的献血行为特征,制定精准的献血招募保留策略。     

How barriers to blood donation differ between lapsed donors and non‐donors in France

Blood donors are underrepresented in the general population. Thus, comparing barriers to blood donation between non‐donors and lapsed donors is crucial to improving their participation in blood donation and to targeting theses groups in recruitment programmes. The aims of this study were to identify barriers to blood donation and to compare their occurrence between lapsed and non‐donors in France. Data from a 2008 survey of 1400 individuals were used to evaluate differences in barriers between two subpopulations: 619 non‐donors and 567 lapsed donors. Individuals answered questions concerning sociodemographic variables and donation‐related variables. Results show that, in decreasing order, individuals cited medical reasons (32%), lack of time (15·12%), fear (12·20%), negligence (10·03%), lack of information (7·69%), no particular reason (7·18%), lack of solicitation (6·18%), lack of opportunity (5·18%) and prior deferral (4·43%) as barriers to blood donation. After adjusted analysis, non‐donors mentioned fear, lack of information and no particular reason more often than lapsed donors, who cited lack of time more often than non‐donors. This study has pinpointed nine main barriers to blood donation among the French population, the most significant being medical reasons (for both lapsed and non‐donors), lack of time, cited more frequently by lapsed donors, and fear of donating blood, most often cited by non‐donors. Future studies are needed to gain greater insight into what these barriers represent for individuals to improve awareness and for recruitment of French blood donors.