Donation related fears predict vasovagal reactions and donor attrition among high school donors

Abstract

Background This longitudinal study of high school whole blood donors examined relationships among donation‐related fears assessed prior to donation, vasovagal reactions to donation, and the proportion of donors who attempted another donation over the subsequent 60 weeks. Study Design and Methods Data regarding vasovagal reactions and attempted donation were obtained from donor records of 530 female and 342 male high school donors who answered questions about five types of fear (ie, of blood draw, needles, seeing blood, feeling pain, or fainting) prior to their index donation. Results Each type of fear was associated with an increased risk of vasovagal reactions (all P < .001) and a smaller percentage of attempted donations was seen among those who reported at least one type of fear (53%) as compared to those who did not report any fear (62.1%); P = .022; β = −0.374, OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50‐0.94. Path analyses of the relationships among fear, vasovagal reaction, and attempted donation revealed significant indirect effects for each type of fear. Specifically, donors who reported fear were at increased odds of experiencing a vasovagal reaction, which, in turn, was associated with decreased odds of attempting a repeat donation. Conclusion Donation‐related fears are associated with reduced donor return rates, and this effect is mediated through an increased risk for vasovagal reactions. For both practical and ethical reasons, blood collectors are encouraged to identify and intervene with fearful donors to reduce the likelihood of negative donation‐related symptoms and enhance donor retention.

Improving the donation experience and reducing venipuncture pain by addressing fears among whole‐blood and plasma donors

“…Other papers reaffirm the relationship between fear and adverse reactions 16,18 and concur with the present data in showing that it is possible to bolster psychological outcomes with only a brief and inexpensive fear-related intervention. However, this study had a number of limitations.…”

“…8 For example, fear, especially fear of the blood draw, is a key predictor of VVRs though it is not routinely assessed. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Importantly, more than half of firsttime donors and more than one-third of experienced donors report fear of the blood draw at the donation clinic. 17 This fear can be assessed quickly and reliably in donor centers by simply asking the donor to rate how fearful they are of having blood taken from their arm on a Likert-type scale.…”

“…However, it remains largely unclear how many of these insights can be incorporated into standard operating procedures within donor centers 8 . For example, fear, especially fear of the blood draw, is a key predictor of VVRs though it is not routinely assessed 9–16 . Importantly, more than half of first‐time donors and more than one‐third of experienced donors report fear of the blood draw at the donation clinic 17 .…”

Fear is associated with attrition of first‐time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators

“…about future donations) and donation-related fear (i.e., concerns about stimuli in the immediate donation environment, such as needles and blood) have lower future donation intentions and a decreased likelihood of actual donation behavior. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Whereas anxious and fearful reactions to donation procedures and related stimuli likely dissuade many people from ever choosing to give blood, for a variety of reasons, many others decide to donate despite their concerns. In fact, a recent survey 8 indicated that 71.8% of first-time blood donors reported a fear of having blood drawn, and similarly high proportions reported a fear of blood donation needles (71.1%), feeling pain while donating (72.5%), and feeling faint or lightheaded while donating (67.6%).…”

Would you like another pretzel? Water? We make progress in donor reactions

“…The reaction may have impact beyond the medical harm, though. Significantly, the donor who has a reaction is less likely to return, to become that “repeat donor” that all blood collectors covet 2‐4 . Additionally, a donor who has a visible reaction that requires care can alarm those already donating or those waiting to donate, potentially leading to increased fainting episodes simply due to the power of suggestion (the domino effect).…”