If the permanent deferral were lifted would men who have sex with men want to donate blood, and if so, who would be eligible?

Belanger, Geoffrey A.; McFarland, Willi; Raymond, H. Fisher; Custer, Brian

doi:10.1111/trf.12124

Cited by 17 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our findings are similar to two previous studies that found donation rates among MSM who did not meet deferral criteria to be 23.4 and 42%. 3,15 While the adoption of a 12-month deferral period represented a major policy shift for the United States, other nations, such as Japan, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, have previously adopted 12-month or shorter deferral policies. Interestingly, several socially progressive countries, such as Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, as well as Austria, Germany, and Belgium, still maintain a lifetime deferral.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The beliefs and willingness of men who have sex with men to comply with a one‐year blood donation deferral policy: a cross‐sectional study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration ended the lifetime blood donation deferral for men who have sex with men (MSM) and replaced it with a 1‐year deferral period. It is currently unknown how many MSM may meet the new deferral policy and how many are willing to comply with it. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS An anonymous survey was shared on MSM‐focused social media sites between May and July 2016 and enrolled self‐identified American MSM who were at least 18 years old. The survey assessed the willingness of MSM to donate blood, donation history, and knowledge regarding current blood donation needs and testing limitations. RESULTS A total of 764 men met criteria to be included in the final data set. Only 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9%‐10.9%) met the current 12‐month deferral criteria, yet 90.6% (95% CI, 88.5%‐92.7%) were interested in donating. Among men interested in donating blood, 57.9% (95% CI, 54.3%‐61.4%) would consider donating blood without meeting the 12‐month deferral criteria. Overall, 26.7% (95% CI, 23.6%‐29.8%) admitted to donating blood at least once in the past despite not meeting deferral criteria. CONCLUSIONS Few MSM met the current deferral criteria, yet many were interested in donating, even without meeting deferral criteria. Possible motivations to donate without meeting deferral criteria may include a perceived shortage of donated blood and infallibility of current blood testing technology to detect human immunodeficiency virus. If the current 1‐year deferral is maintained, it is essential that there is outreach to the MSM community to explain and educate why this policy exists.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The beliefs and willingness of men who have sex with men to comply with a one‐year blood donation deferral policy: a cross‐sectional study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since the 1980s, exclusion of MSM from blood donation has been denounced by gay men, who were frequent blood donors prior to the ban and are still interested in donating blood . At a time when gay men still faced extensive prejudice, establishing a link between being gay and spreading HIV and thus being excluded as a group from a valued social practice was seen as discriminatory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘One step closer’: Acceptability of a programme of plasma donation for fractionation from men who have sex with men

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and objectives In Canada, Héma‐Québec is considering the possibility of allowing men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate plasma for fractionation combined with a mandatory quarantine period. This study aims to assess the acceptability and operational feasibility of the programme in the targeted population. Materials and methods Seven focus groups with MSM (N = 47) were conducted in Montréal, regarding their beliefs underlying attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control relating to intention to participate in a programme of plasma donation for fractionation. A theoretical thematic content analysis was realized. Results Participants brought up benefits of the programme. Some are altruistic (help others, save lives, contribute as citizens), while others are linked to what it could bring to their community (progress, opportunity to include MSM in blood donation programmes, acknowledgement of MSM's contributions to the well‐being of others). However, even if the programme is in accordance with their altruistic values, it clashes with their values of equality and social justice. Many disadvantages were raised (discrimination and stigmatization of MSM, the fact that their blood is presented as being not as good as the blood of others). Facilitating factors and barriers to participation were put forward in terms of programme characteristics and sites where donations would be made. Conclusion The findings suggest some interest in the programme of plasma donation for fractionation, but this is significantly tempered by the fact that differential treatment for MSM would continue and that their demands regarding access to whole blood donation are still unmet.

show abstract

“…In our study, 42.0% of participants admitted to donating blood. Although this is nearly twice as much as the 23.4% of MSMs who admitted to donating blood in a survey performed in San Francisco, both studies demonstrate that MSMs are donating blood despite the lifetime deferral. Similarly, 85.9% of our participants, and 77.3% of the MSMs from the San Francisco study, would be willing to donate blood if the lifetime deferral were changed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Although this is nearly twice as much as the 23.4% of MSMs who admitted to donating blood in a survey performed in San Francisco, both studies demonstrate that MSMs are donating blood despite the lifetime deferral. Similarly, 85.9% of our participants, and 77.3% of the MSMs from the San Francisco study, would be willing to donate blood if the lifetime deferral were changed. Interestingly, a recent model in England and Wales found a minimal risk in switching from a lifetime to a 5‐year deferral .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The rates, perceptions, and willingness of men who have sex with men to donate blood

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

If the permanent deferral were lifted would men who have sex with men want to donate blood, and if so, who would be eligible?

Abstract: The majority of MSM are interested in donating blood. Depending on how the policy would be changed (i.e., either a temporary or a behavior-based deferral criterion), substantial numbers of MSM would be eligible.

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

The beliefs and willingness of men who have sex with men to comply with a one‐year blood donation deferral policy: a cross‐sectional study

The beliefs and willingness of men who have sex with men to comply with a one‐year blood donation deferral policy: a cross‐sectional study

‘One step closer’: Acceptability of a programme of plasma donation for fractionation from men who have sex with men

The rates, perceptions, and willingness of men who have sex with men to donate blood

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About