Characterization of blood donors and non-blood donors in Germany using an online survey

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to analyze characteristics influencing blood donation status, to identify anxieties and reasons for (non-)blood donation, and potential channels for future blood donation campaigns. A random population from Germany was interviewed using the online survey tool SoSci Survey. The access link to the questionnaire was distributed via snowball system and the Bavarian Red Cross. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors influencing blood donation status. A total of 682 participants (27.3% blood donors) with a mean age of 33.4 and a standard deviation (SD) of 12.0 years were included into the analysis. Strongest factor associated with being blood donor was having a blood donor within family and friends (Odds ratio [OR]: 5.05 [95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.63; 9.70]; p≤0.001), whereas having anxiety related to blood donation was the strongest factor for being non-blood donor (OR: 0.11 [95% CI: 0.05; 0.21] p≤0.001). Other factors significantly influencing blood donor status were age, health-related quality of life, knowledge on blood donation, being an organ donor and having pre-conditions. Main anxieties avoiding blood donation were fear of physical consequences, and fear of the injection needle. Most frequently mentioned channels which should be used for blood donation campaigns were Instagram and free TV. Involving blood donors into campaigns to recruit new blood donors from their personal environment and to focus campaign content on physical benefits of blood donations might help to recruit new blood donors. In addition, running campaigns stronger on channels such as Instagram might increase their scope.

Knowledge Level, Motivators and Barriers of Blood Donation among Students at Qatar University

“…The knowledge means of blood donors and non-blood donors were very close, suggesting that knowledge level does not affect the decision of donating blood. These results were contradictory to what has been reported in previous studies, which highlighted the association between knowledge level and blood donation status [26][27][28]. Contradictory findings might be due to the small proportions of blood donors in our study, only 15% compared to other studies where blood donors account for more than 50% of the participants.…”

A review of whole‐blood donors' willingness, motives, barriers and interventions related to donating another substance of human origin

“…Blood donation was significantly and positively associated with having an organ donor card 43,45 or joining an organ donor registry 44 . 13%–72% of blood donors owned an organ donor card or were registered organ donors 9,46–51 . More blood donors (vs. non‐blood donors 47–51 or the general population 9,46 ) had signed a donor card or were registered organ donors.…”

“…13%–72% of blood donors owned an organ donor card or were registered organ donors 9,46–51 . More blood donors (vs. non‐blood donors 47–51 or the general population 9,46 ) had signed a donor card or were registered organ donors.…”

Effectiveness of Vapocoolant Spray on Venipuncture Pain in Young Male Donors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In support of our study, in the study carried out on 1263 participants by Köse and Mandıracıoğlu11 to determine the prevalence of blood/injection fear in healthy and sick donors, it was stated that 30.1% of sick donors and 19.5% of healthy donors had fear of blood/injection. In the study by Stock and Möckel,25 17% of non-blood donors had fear of injection needles. In a systematic review and meta‐analysis study, the prevalence of needle fear was estimated at 20% to 30% in young adults 26.…”