Comparison of demographics and motivations of highly committed whole blood and platelet donors

Abstract

To compare donor demographics and motivations for donation, we surveyed 159 consecutive whole blood donors (WD) and 146 consecutive plateletpheresis donors. All donors had donation experiences of at least 2 gallons (i.e., 16 previous donations). Evaluation of answers to fixed-response and open-ended questions revealed no difference between the two groups in age, type of wages, compensation by employer, "time off" for donation, and church or volunteer organization memberships. The two groups differed in that the platelet donor (PD) group had a higher percentage of males than females (PD group 72.6% males and 27.4% females versus WD group 59% males and 41% females [chi-square = .01]). PDs most often began donating platelets because they were asked (22.6%), demonstrating the importance of active recruitment. When asked why they do not donate platelet products by apheresis, highly committed WDs reported lack of time (25%), lack of knowledge ("Don't know about it," 21%), lack of recruitment ("No one asked," 18.5%), or lack of awareness ("Never though about it," 5%) as reasons. Factors centering on time constraints, lack of knowledge or awareness about platelet donation by apheresis, and lack of active recruitment prohibit highly committed WDs from entering into plateletpheresis programs.

Whole blood and apheresis donors in Quebec, Canada: Demographic differences and motivations to donate

“…As there may be far fewer women among PPDs, samples may be too small to make interesting comparisons [17,22]. Our results revealed that, of WBDs, it was primarily the women who donated thinking that a member of their family (or a friend) could need blood, who generally considered there to be a strong need for blood products, and who viewed giving blood as a positive thing to do that required little effort.…”

“…Seven percent of divorced PPDs selected "My coworkers also give blood" and their WBD counterparts chose "My religious practice or convictions have encouraged me to donate" more often (4%) than other sub-categories. Around 10% of younger (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) and single PPDs chose "Blood donation is a tradition in my family" while a similar proportion of male PPDs chose "I feel recognition from people around me" as an important motivator. Lastly, only 3% of PPDs in their thirties (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) and those with a low education chose "When I see posters and advertising" as a motivator.…”

“…According to Bove et al [17], data compiled by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service reflected a higher proportion of older, retirement-aged men in the active pool of plasmapheresis donors. Higher proportions of men among platelet donors have also been noted [19,22,23]. However, a survey conducted by Veldhuizen and van Dongen [21] revealed equivalent numbers of men and women among plasma donors registered in the program for 3 years or less.…”

“…In surveys conducted in the context of volunteer, nonremunerated donation [17][18][19][20][21][22], researchers have observed higher proportions of men among apheresis donors. According to Bove et al [17], data compiled by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service reflected a higher proportion of older, retirement-aged men in the active pool of plasmapheresis donors.…”

Motivaciones para donar sangre entre el personal sanitario

“…Una de las posibles respuestas como motivación para donar sangre era "Los regalos tras la donación" que obtuvo tan solo un 1.3% (2), lo que está en consonancia con estudios previos que sostienen que los incentivos materiales no son una buena estrategia de captación ya que apenas influyen en el posible donante 15 e incluso pueden llegar a ejercer un efecto negativo al hacer que el individuo no tenga en cuenta los beneficios sociales y en consecuencia, done con menos frecuencia 13,14 .…”