Who donates? Cross‐country and periodical variation in blood donor demographics in Europe between 1994 and 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND Ageing European populations put pressure on national blood supplies, increasing the need for blood and donor base rejuvenation. Therefore, we investigate how European countries' blood donor populations differ and how they have evolved over the last 2 decades. Previous comparative research, based on 1994 Eurobarometer data, indicate that the typical donor is an educated, middle‐aged, white, married male. Other sociodemographic and socioeconomic correlates, such as employment status and type of community, are less clear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Multilevel analyses are performed on repeated cross‐level data from the Eurobarometer (waves 1994, 2002, 2009, and 2014) to compare information on “ever having donated” across sociodemographic categories, countries, and periods. RESULTS There are consistent but moderate country and period differences. The donor population rose to become largest in most countries by 2009, and stabilized thereafter. Over the studied period, donors were more likely to be higher educated, married men. Nevertheless, changes across time in donor profiles within countries did occur. Women were less likely to donate blood, especially in Southern and Eastern Europe, but this gender gap has declined. Furthermore, educational attainment seems more relevant for women, although, more recently, to a lesser extent. CONCLUSION Although there is a promising trend in which women, young people, and students are increasingly likely to donate, more attention is needed to reach the unemployed and the low to medium educated. Because the unemployed may lack structural opportunities to donate, and the low to medium educated may lack relevant knowledge on blood donation necessity, we recommend providing practical opportunities and information on the necessity of blood donation.

Why do young men lapse from blood donation?

“…This is even more remarkable as the requirement to become a registered female blood donor includes having Hb >124 g/l, thus excluding around 20–25% of the female population in Stockholm. Female donor majority is unusual for Europe and also for Sweden , but similar gender differences in young donors have been reported in several countries . For both genders, there were lower numbers of donors and donations in the age groups of 30–45 (Fig.…”

Determinants of blood donation willingness in the European Union: a cross‐country perspective on perceived transfusion safety, concerns, and incentives

“…Participants with a history of blood donation and with a partner and or children were also more likely to be willing to donate, which could be an indication that partnership and parenthood enhance people's feelings of social responsibility that may extend toward altruistic behavior directed to society. The evidence to date of the relationship between personal characteristics and donor status and willingness is conflicted (for a recent review see Piersma et al) and as such the current study and the Eurobarometer data set in general provide an interesting, large‐scale addition to this literature. The fact that HDI only predicted donation willingness in (former) donors supports the previously reported finding that HDI alone does not explain differences between countries regarding whole blood collections .…”

“…More comprehensive information on whether a participant was, or would be, a donor at a public or private blood donation center would provide additional data to explain future donor behavior, as several EU countries provide both options. Second, recall bias and social desirability is a common bias in survey research and might especially occur with questions about prosocial behavior such as blood donation . Still, in absence of other data sources, and while relying on register data, enriched with more in‐depth data on subjective attitudes and perception, we present a first step toward shedding light on differences in donor motivation and behavior across Europe.…”

“…Second, recall bias and social desirability is a common bias in survey research and might especially occur with questions about prosocial behavior such as blood donation. 5,16 Still, in absence of other data sources, and while relying on register data, enriched with more in-depth data on subjective attitudes and perception, we present a first step toward shedding light on differences in donor motivation and behavior across Europe.…”

“…However, shortage, supply, and self‐sufficiency vary widely across the European Union (EU) and United States, as does the profile of the donors and patients . A recent publication gave an overview of important demographic characteristics of those participants with a donation history in the current EU context . However, new donors, especially those with specific characteristics (e.g., male, ethnic minority), will have to be recruited to safeguard a timely, sufficient, and matching blood supply and respond to the increasing demand for specific blood and plasma products.…”