Effective methods for reactivating inactive blood donors: a stratified randomised controlled study

Abstract

Background Recruiting of sufficient numbers of donors of blood products is vital worldwide. In this study we assessed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telephone calls and SMS reminders for re-recruitment of inactive blood donors. Methods This single-centre, non-blinded, parallel randomised controlled trial in Guangzhou, China included 11,880 inactive blood donors whose last donation was between January 1 and June 30, 2014. The donors were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (telephone call or short message service [SMS] communications) or to a control group without intervention. SMS messages with altruistic appeal were adopted in the SMS group; in addition to altruistic appeal, reasons for deferral of blood donation were also asked in the telephone group. All participants were followed up for 1 year. The primary outcome was re-donation rate, and rates in different groups were compared by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and estimation of the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT). Secondary outcomes were the self-reported deterrents. Other outcomes included the re-donation interval, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of telephone calls and SMS reminders on re-recruitment. Results ITT analysis revealed no significant differences in the re-donation rate among the three groups. ATT estimations indicated that among compliers, telephone calls significantly increased re-donation compared to both SMS reminders and no intervention. Donor return behaviour was positively associated with receiving reminders successfully, being male, older age, and previous donation history. The SMS reminder prompted donors to return sooner than no reminder within 6 months, and according to ICER calculations, SMS reminders were more cost-effective than telephone calls. Donors reported time constraints as the most main causes of self-deferral in the telephone group, and altruistic appeal had a positive effect on these donors. Conclusions Interventions to reactivate inactive blood donors can be effective, with telephone calls prompting more donors to return but at a greater cost than SMS messages. SMS reminder with altruistic appeal can urge donors to re-donate sooner within 6 months than no reminder. Trial registration NCT03366441 (Reactivation of Inactive Blood Donors). Retrospectively registered 4 December 2017.

Notifying donors when their deferral is ending: An effective donor retention strategy

“…The use of SMS has increased among BCAs, with previous research demonstrating the effectiveness of a postdonation SMS notifying donors of the location to which their blood has been dispatched 27,28 . Like emails, SMS reminders are cost‐effective, and have been found to have a similar effect to telephone calls in encouraging donors to return 29 . Our study found support for the use of either SMS or email to notify donors their deferral was ending.…”

“…27,28 Like emails, SMS reminders are cost-effective, and have been found to have a similar effect to telephone calls in encouraging donors to return. 29 Our study found support for the use of either SMS or email to notify donors their deferral was ending. Interestingly, deferred donors responded more positively to a nonemotive message than to an emotive message; the latter including a photograph and story about a blood recipient.…”

<p>Blood Donor Deferral Analysis in Relation to the Screening Process: A Single-Center Study from Southern India with Emphasis on High Hemoglobin Prevalence</p>

“…3,16 Further, in a randomized controlled study by Ou-Yang J et al, 30.6% of self-reported deferral reasons accounted for medical reason. 27 In our center, hypertension happened to be an incidental finding for a few first-time donors, and was referred to a physician for further management. Earlier intervention in these donors can prevent complications and increase their likelihood of returning to the donor pool in the future.…”

Reinduction of the Temporarily Deferred Donors for Laying the Foundation of Safe and Sustainable Blood Supplies: A Review in the Indian Context

“…Reminders through personalized letter, SMS, e-mail or telephonic conversation have been found to work successfully [ 36 , 52 – 54 ]. Telephonic communication has been observed to have a better return rate, but SMS services were found to be more cost-effective with a better contact rate [ 55 ]. Easing the process of donation: Time constraint has been the most common reason given by the TDD for not donating blood again [ 56 ].…”