Blood donors' attitudes towards voluntary non‐remunerated donation in Trinidad and Tobago

Charles, K. S.; King, A. Poon; Ramai, A.; Rajnath, K.; Ramkissoon, Dana; Ramkissoon, Shazana; Ramlal, C; Ramnarine, K.; Rampersad, K.; Legall, George; Pooransingh, Shalini; Chantry, Andrew D.

doi:10.1111/tme.12429

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…It has revealed a deficiency in public information about voluntary non‐remunerated donation . Similarly, existing F/R and voluntary donors need more information before converting to VNRD . Lack of information about blood donor selection criteria contributes to a high donor deferral rate .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Charles

Metivier

Sammy

et al. 2018

ISBT Science Series

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Background and objectives Trinidad and Tobago is a developing country with a hospital‐based, replacement blood donation system, low annual donation rate and high frequency of donor transfusion transmissible infections. Previous studies suggest a need for more information to improve total donations and encourage conversion to voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation. The aim of this study was to investigate public knowledge and perceptions about receiving blood to derive information for designing a safe blood donation campaign. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey was administered to a non‐randomly selected sample of adults at seven health centres. Participants were surveyed for demographics, knowledge of the local transfusion service, confidence in safety checks and attitudes to blood receipt. Results Of 400 respondents, a substantial proportion (38·2%) was unaware of inadequate blood bank stock. Only 18·4% correctly identified the method of blood donor recruitment in the country. Only 1·2% of participants were able to identify all from a list of six scenarios, in which blood is transfused. Although 86% would accept transfusion, most (84%) of these had concerns about acquiring infections and hospital‐related activities. Young persons and females had higher risk perception (P = 0·026 and P = 0·041). There was a positive association between confidence in the safety of blood donation processes and willingness to accept transfusion. Conclusion A blood donor education programme should include all processes from donor recruitment to component administration to reduce the perceived risk of receiving blood in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Charles

Metivier

Sammy

et al. 2018

ISBT Science Series

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“…High knowledge, positive attitudes and willingness to donate VNR blood have been demonstrated among all sociodemographic groups in two community KAP studies from TTO 6,26 . A study of existing FRDs in that country also revealed willingness to convert to VNRDs 30 . The message from these studies was that filling specific knowledge gaps, improving communication and enhancing donation arrangements could convert this willingness to actual voluntary nonremunerated donation 6,26,27 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood donation and receipt in two high income Caribbean countries

Charles

Bain

Beharry

et al. 2021

Transfusion Medicine

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Objectives To compare knowledge, attitudes and risk perception related to blood donation and transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamas. Background Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas are two Caribbean countries whose national blood transfusion systems are heavily reliant (76.2% and 76%) on family replacement donors. The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation recommends blood collection from exclusively voluntary nonremunerated donors on the grounds that family replacement donor‐based blood systems are unsafe and inadequate compared to those based on voluntary nonremunerated blood donors. Methods/Materials A 23‐item questionnaire was distributed online by snowball sampling in these two countries to assess knowledge, attitudes, risk perception and behaviour. SPSS version 24 was used for interpretative and descriptive data analysis, chi‐square to measure significance and linear regression the strength of associations. p < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance. Results Four hundred and fifty three (453) responses were obtained from Trinidad and Tobago and 101 from the Bahamas. Knowledge and positive attitudes were high in both countries (75.5% vs. 80.2%, p < 0.001 and 96.6% vs. 100%, p < 0.001). A substantial proportion of respondents held the perception that the local blood donation system was safe or very safe (26.4 and 61.4%, p < 0.001) that was linked to the misconception that the prevalent method of blood donation was voluntary nonremunerated (27.8 and 51.4%, p < 0.001). Concerns about receiving blood were underpinned by mistrust of transfusion‐related procedures. Conclusion A social interface to transfer information between blood transfusion services and the community could encourage voluntary nonremunerated blood donation and reduce concerns about receiving transfusion.

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“…A recent study from Trinidad and Tobago (TRT) examined approximately 1000 adults presenting for blood donation and administered a questionnaire intended to determine the willingness of FRD (98% of TRT) to become VNRD (Charles et al, ). The population comprised 24% 17–26‐year‐olds and 35% 27–36‐year‐olds, and 34% were female.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current approaches to increase blood donations in resource‐limited countries

2019

Transfusion Medicine

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SUMMARY Background Low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) suffer from chronic or seasonal blood shortage. The first review was published in 2007. Methods The review of literature since 2005 presented here uncovered a fairly large number of articles justifying the grouping of blood donation issues into five geographical areas sharing common background. These are Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), Muslim countries, India, China/South East Asia and Latin America/Caribbean islands (LA&C). Results SSA countries start collecting at 16–18 years of age in schools where female donors can be reached better than in other settings. Community‐oriented culture favours family donors who need, similar to volunteer non‐remunerated donors (VNRD), to be actively induced to repeat donation. Muslim countries share the contradiction of religion encouraging blood donation but restrain women from donating. The active involvement of religious leaders and the progressive easing of female participation are the keys to increasing blood donation. In India, ‘social duty’ is a major inducement to blood donation but also benefits and rewards. Ways of involving female donors by reducing the donation age to 16 years and providing donor education in schools need to be considered. In China and East Asia, the option of small‐volume donation impairs blood collection without being justified by scientific evidence but is a concession to culture. Reducing the donation age would also help the supply. In LA&C, the concept of ‘social capital’ was developed as a complement or alternative to the theory of planned behaviour. Conclusions Strategies to improve blood donation and repeat donation should be innovative and adapted to local or regional culture and environment.

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Blood donors' attitudes towards voluntary non‐remunerated donation in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract: Despite low awareness of blood shortage, willingness to become VNRD was high among existing donors. Accountability and donor convenience underpinned the main motivators for converting to VNRD.

Cited by 8 publications

References 20 publications

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood donation and receipt in two high income Caribbean countries

Current approaches to increase blood donations in resource‐limited countries

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