Fear of blood, injections and fainting as barriers to blood donation in Brazil

The impact of social media intervention based on functional motivation on repeat blood donation behavior: A prospective randomized controlled trial study

BACKGROUND

Blood plays an irreplaceable role in medical care. Low retention rate among blood donors is the major issue in China. Various functional motivations can encourage blood donors to participate in blood donation. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research studies on re-donate behavior based on functional motivations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of social media intervention based on functional motivation, to discover effective intervention methods to improve re-donate rate among nonregular blood donors.

METHODS

In 2022-2023, 726 adults aged 18-55 years were randomized into the intervention or control group. Over 6 months, the intervention group received science popularization via social media. After the follow-up period, re-donate rate and functional motivation were assessed. Statistical analyses included t-test, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Five hundred and sixty-eight participants completed the intervention survey. Overall, the repeat blood donation rate in the intervention group (18.1%) was significantly higher than the control group (4.2%) (p < .001). After the intervention, understanding, protection, sensation, and values motivation increased (p < .001). The changes in functional motivations vary across different age groups. In the 18-30 age group, understanding motivation increased (p < .001), while in the 31-45 and 46-55 age groups, protection motivation increased (p < .001). In the groups donating blood 3 time and 4 time, protection motivation increased (p < .05), and in the group donating blood 4 times, the values motivation increased (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Social media intervention based on functional motivation can effectively increase the re-donate rate. Understanding, protection, sensation, and values motivations can directly influence the re-donate behavior.

Rational or altruistic: the impact of social media information exposure on Chinese youth's willingness to donate blood

Background

Non-remunerated blood donation is the main approach for various medical institutions to get the source of blood supply, but the blood supply shortage is still a problem in today's society. Social media has become the main approach of information acquisition for youth groups nowadays, and the information on social media will have an impact on people's behavioral decisions. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the correlation between social media exposure to relevant information about blood donation and the willingness of youths to donate blood.

Methods

We collected data from 455 questionnaires through an online questionnaire and structural equation modeling was constructed for validation. Data were analyzed for reliability, validity, and demographic differences using IBM-SPSS 26.0, and IBM-SPSS-AMOS 26.0 was used for model fit analysis and path analysis.

Results

The results of the study showed that there was a positive correlation between social media exposure to relevant blood donation information and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.262, p < 0.001), altruism (β = 0.203, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.170, p < 0.001). While there was also a positive correlation between attitude toward blood donation and self-efficacy (β = 0.560, p < 0.001), there was no positive correlation between it and willingness to donate blood (β = -0.180, p = 0.786). There was also a positive correlation between altruism and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.150, p < 0.05) and attitude toward blood donation (β = 0.150, p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a positive correlation between self-efficacy and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.371, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Exposure to more information related to blood donation on social media can increase the willingness of the youth population to donate blood, while exposure to information related to altruism and self-efficacy on social media can also enhance young people's attitudes toward blood donation, while further strengthening their willingness to donate.

The Polish adaptation of the blood donation fears inventory

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Given the decline in the number of voluntary blood donors in Poland and the lack of psychological research on blood donors and the donation system in the country, there is a need to develop a tool to measure barriers to recruiting new donors and retaining active donors. One significant barrier is the presence of specific fears associated with the blood donation process. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to perform the Polish adaptation of the Blood Donation Fears Inventory (the BDFI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Polish adaptation of the BDFI was developed and tested on a sample of 409 individuals, consisting of 194 (47.5%) voluntary blood donors and 214 (52.5%) non-donors. The original tool comprises an 18-item scale that measures four different types of fears related to the blood donation process: (1) Fear of Syncopal Symptoms, (2) Fear of Blood and Needles, (3) Fear of Social Evaluation, and (4) Fear of Health Screen Results.

RESULTS

To determine the psychometric properties of the scale, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA =.098; CFI =.958; TLI =.935; SRMR =.035), second-order factor analysis (RMSEA =.097; CFI =.958; TLI =.936; SRMR =.036; NNFI =.936; NFI =.938), and bifactor analysis (RMSEA =.093; CFI =.969; TLI =.942; SRMR =.036; NNFI =.942; NFI =.952) were conducted. The reliability of the tool was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega, resulting in high coefficients (ranging from.92 to.97) for each scale. Internal consistency was examined using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), while external consistency was examined using the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) and the Self-esteem Scale (SES).

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory results were obtained, establishing the Polish adaptation of the BDFI. This tool represents a novel contribution to the research on the blood donation system in Poland.

Mixed-methods exploration of the knowledge of young adults about blood donation processes; a one-center cross-sectional study in a tertiary institution

Ghana is a majority youthful population, but is only able to meet 60% of its annual blood donation requirements. Although tertiary students in Ghana may serve as important blood donor resource by virtue of their higher educational attainment, data about their blood donation processes-specific knowledge are scarce. This study therefore explored the perspectives, and experiences of young adults regarding blood donation processes. This exploratory study employed mixed-methods approach (semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion, [FGD]). Data collection was sequential; the questionnaire distribution was completed before FGD commenced; themes that emerged from the questionnaire responses guided FGDs. Convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 382 young adults (15-49 years). All statistical analyses were undertaken using the two-tail assumptions; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Majority (79.3%) of the participants were in their twenties, with only 1.3% being 40-49 years old. Although two-thirds of participants expressed willingness to donate blood, less than a-third (31.7%; 127/382) had previously donated blood. Overall, less than one-third of participants could correctly identify the minimum weight (26.4%), or the inter-donation interval (14.7%); 37.4% and 58.1% could respectively indicate the required donor age or ≥3 infectious agents screened for prior to blood collection. Among previous donors, 37.2%, 28.1% and 43.0% could identify the required weight, acceptable inter-donation period, and donor age respectively. Two-thirds and a-third of participants preferred voluntary unrelated, and paid donations respectively. Whereas 42.4% of participants indicated intrinsic health benefits of blood donation, 17.0% suggested that blood donation was associated with disease risks. Both previous donors and non-donor groups considered lack of education, fear of post-donation health issues and lack of privacy at blood collection centers as main hindrances to donor recruitment. Targeted intentional blood donation-specific educational campaigns are warranted to address the blood donation processes knowledge gap among the study population.

Factors influencing consumers' intention to donate blood: A South African perspective

The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing consumer intention to donate blood in an emerging market setting. A quantitative research design was followed that entailed the collection of data from 308 non-donor respondents, using a self-administered online questionnaire. The conceptual model and hypotheses were analysed statistically, using SPSS to conduct reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, and personal norms had a positive and significant influence on consumers' intention to donate blood. Ascription of responsibility was the largest influencer of personal norms towards blood donation.

The Oxford Needle Experience (ONE) scale: a UK-based and US-based online mixed-methods psychometric development and validation study of an instrument to assess needle fear, attitudes and expectations in the general public

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate the Oxford Needle Experience (ONE) scale, an instrument to assess needle fear, attitudes and expectations in the general population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional validation study.

SETTING

Internet-based with participants in the UK and USA.

PARTICIPANTS

UK and US representative samples stratified by age, sex, and ethnicity using the Prolific Academic platform.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Exploratory factor analysis with categorical variables and a polychoric correlation matrix followed by promax oblique rotation on the UK sample for the ONE scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a Satorra-Bentler scaled test statistic evaluating the root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA), standardised root mean squared residual (SRMR) and comparative fit index (CFI) on the US sample. Reliability as internal consistency using McDonald's omega. Convergent validity using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Predictive and discriminant validity using logistic regression ORs of association (OR).

RESULTS

The population included 1000 respondents, 500 in the UK and 500 in the USA. Minimum average partial correlation and a scree plot suggested four factors should be retained: injection hesitancy, blood-related hesitancy, recalled negative experiences and perceived benefits, yielding a 19-question scale. On CFA, the RMSEA was 0.070 (90% CI, 0.064 to 0.077), SRMR 0.053 and CFI 0.925. McDonald's omega was 0.92 and 0.93 in the UK and US samples, respectively. Convergent validity with the four-item Oxford Coronavirus Explanations, Attitudes and Narratives Survey (OCEANS) needle fear scale demonstrated a strong correlation (r=0.83). Predictive validity with a single-question COVID-19 vaccination status question demonstrated a strong association, OR (95% CI) 0.97 (0.96 to 0.98), p<0.0001 in the US sample. Discriminant validity with a question regarding the importance of controlling what enters the body confirmed the ONE score does not predict this unrelated outcome, OR 1.00 (0.99, 1.01), p=0.996 in the US sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The ONE scale is a reliable and valid multidimensional scale that may be useful in predicting vaccine hesitancy, designing public health interventions to improve vaccine uptake and exploring alternatives to needles for medical procedures.

The influence of demographic and lifestyle factors on blood donation delay among student population: a retrospective study

Objective

This study analysed blood donation deferral trends, reasons and demographic/lifestyle characteristics among students in Huzhou City. The aim was to understand the health status of students and reduce the deferral rate.

Methods

Data on blood donation deferral among students in Huzhou City from 2018 to 2022 were collected and analysed. Deferral trends and main reasons were investigated. Using demographic and lifestyle data from 2,619 cases in 2022, a risk prediction model for deferral was constructed.

Results

The deferral rate among students in Huzhou City from 2018 to 2022 was 12.60% (p = 0.000, 95%CI: 12.14-13.06%), showing a significant increasing trend. Temporary deferral was the main reason, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood pressure (BP) and haemoglobin (Hb) as the main deferral factors. ALT had a deferral rate of 5.23% (4.92-5.53%), BP 3.30% (3.06-3.55%), and Hb 2.92% (2.68-3.15%). Demographic and lifestyle characteristics in 2022 showed no significant differences between education level, household registration and deferral rate (p > 0.05). However, age, sex, blood donation history, sleep quality, diet and mental state had variable effects on ALT, BP, and Hb deferrals (p < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that sex, blood donation history, sleep quality, diet and mental status were independent risk factors for ALT deferral (p < 0.05), with odds ratios (ORs) of 5.057, 2.735, 1.594, 3.679, and 1.957, respectively. Age, blood donation history, sleep quality and mental state were independent risk factors for BP deferral (p < 0.05), with ORs of 0.256, 3.658, 6.042, and 1.812, respectively. Gender, blood donation history and diet were independent risk factors for Hb deferral (p < 0.05), with ORs of 0.244, 0.542, and 3.103, respectively.

Conclusion

Students' health problems require attention. Effective health education should improve self-health management and pre-donation health behaviour to encourage regular blood donation.

Impact of promoting blood donation in general practice: Prospective study among blood donors in France

Introduction

Waiting rooms in general practitioners' (GP) surgeries are a potentially useful site for spreading educational messages about health behaviors. We aimed to evaluate the impact of posters displayed in GPs' waiting rooms on the number of donors attending the blood donation drives in the Aube Department of France. The secondary objective was to identify self-reported factors that incited people to give blood among donors who did and donors who did not see the posters.

Methods

Observational, multicenter, prospective study, from 1 June to 31 December 2021. Six blood donation centers in the Aube Department were selected. All GPs located within a 15 km radius around each center were invited to participate by hanging posters advertising blood drives in their waiting rooms. The number of blood donations per hour was measured before and during the campaign. Factors prompting people to give blood were evaluated by questionnaires completed by persons attending the blood drives.

Results

33 GPs participated. The number of donations per hour was lower in the year in which the posters were displayed (2021) compared to the previous year (12 vs. 15). A total of 1,469 questionnaires were completed by blood donors: 729 reported having seen the posters, and 740 reported not having seen the posters. Those who claimed to have seen the posters were more likely than those who claimed not to have seen the posters to respond that in parallel, they had been prompted to give blood via online publicity (7.5 vs. 3.9%, adjusted Odds ratio [aOR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.82, p = 0.02). They also more often reported that they had been prompted to donate by television advertisements (8.0 vs. 4.2%, aOR 1.74, 95%CI 1.10-2.76, p = 0.02). Overall, 68% of all respondents indicated that posters in the GP's waiting room would incite them to give blood more often.

Conclusion

The number of blood donations per hour was lower during the year in which posters were displayed. Questionnaire data from donors suggests that promoting blood donation via posters in GPs' waiting rooms could have a positive effect: 68% of donors claimed that posters would incite them to give blood.

Impact of COVID-19 on blood donor deferral patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Blood donor deferral is an essential tool for blood safety. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected blood transfusion services all over the world. But its impact on donor deferral rate and the pattern is unclear in light of the new donor deferral policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was divided into pre-COVID and COVID (15 March 2019-14 March 2021). All the deferred donors were divided into six different categories: (1) medical causes, (2) surgical causes, (3) drugs and vaccination, (4) risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases, (5) miscellaneous causes and (6) flu-like symptoms. In addition, COVID-related deferrals were also incorporated. All these above categories along with the donor demography were analysed by SPSS software version 25.

RESULTS

The donor deferral rate was 17.03% and 12.74% during the pre-COVID and COVID periods, respectively. During the pre-COVID period, Category 3 deferrals and during COVID period, Category 6 deferrals were significantly higher. A reversal in pattern with increased blood pressure (40.2% vs. 24.04%) over-riding low haemoglobin (34.77% vs. 55.5%) was noted in the Category 1 deferral during the COVID period. Category 1 deferral was more in middle-aged adults as compared to young and old adults (p < 0.05). Among middle-aged adults, deferral due to flu-like symptoms was also significantly more during the COVID period (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 significantly affected the donor pool and changed the pattern of donor deferral. Understanding donor deferral patterns may help in identifying targeted donor populations and planning donor recruitment strategies in future pandemic crises.

Blood Donation Fear, Perceived Rewards, Self-Efficacy, and Intention to Return Among Whole Blood Donors in China: A Social Cognitive Perspective

With the increasing demand from aging population and seasonal blood shortage, recruiting and retaining blood donors has become an urgent issue for the blood collection centers in China. This study aims to understand intention to donate again from a social cognitive perspective among whole blood donors in China through investigating the association between the blood donation fear, perceived rewards, self-efficacy, and intention to return. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six cities, which are geographically and socioeconomically distinct areas in Jiangsu, China. Respondents completed a self-administrated questionnaire interviewed by two well-trained medical students. A total of 191 blood donors were included in the current study. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and a generalized linear regression model were used to explore the association between demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and intention to donate again. After controlling other covariates, donors with higher fear scores reported lower intention to return (p = 0.008). Association between self-efficacy and intention to return was statistically significant (p < 0.001), whereas the association between intrinsic rewards (p = 0.387), extrinsic rewards (p = 0.939), and intention to return were statistically insignificant. This study found that either intrinsic rewards or extrinsic rewards are not significantly associated with intention to donate again among whole blood donors in China, and fear is negatively associated with intention to donate again. Therefore, purposive strategies could be enacted beyond appeals to rewards and focus on the management of donors’ fear.

Effectiveness of Vapocoolant Spray on Venipuncture Pain in Young Male Donors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this single-blinded, randomized controlled study was to determine the effectiveness of vapocoolant spray in reducing pain related to venipuncture in young, healthy male blood donors. The participants were separated into 2 groups by randomization. The donors in the control group (n = 44) were not given any intervention during the blood collection process. Vapocoolant spray was applied to the donors in the vapocoolant spray group (n = 44). The pain score was 1.90 ± 1.47 for the vapocoolant spray group and 3.23 ± 2.21 for the control group, and the difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (P = .02). The study result showed that the use of vapocoolant spray for pain management is an effective method of reducing pain related to venipuncture during the process of blood donation in young male donors.

Motivators, barriers and communication channels for blood donation in relation to students at a university in Spain

BACKGROUND

Targeting young people to donate blood is a particularly promising option. The aim of this work was to know the motivators, barriers and preferred communication channels for blood donation among university students, and to determine the factors that explain why donors give blood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was distributed to 420 students (response rate: 88.3 %) attending the University of Huelva (Spain). Data were gathered on sociodemographic variables, blood donation history, motivators and barriers to donation, and communication channels. Non-parametric contrasts were used to determine possible differences in the sociodemographic characteristics or donation history, and logistic regression to determine the factors associated to donation.

RESULTS

67.38 % of the students surveyed were non-donors, 12.94 % were first-time donors, 11.05 % were infrequent donors and 8.63 % were frequent donors. "Solidarity" was the main motivator for donating blood (40 %). "Lack of information on where and how to give blood" was the main barrier for non-donors (26.4 %), with "medical reasons" cited by first-time donors (22.2 %). 93.8 % of donors wished to be notified about their next donation appointment. The majority of those surveyed preferred e-mail to receive alerts and information on donation campaigns. The factors that explained blood donation were over 26 years of age and place of residence.

CONCLUSION

The study identified differences in the motivators, barriers and choice of communication channel among the university students in terms of blood donation, and the factors that explain blood donation. This knowledge is a useful source of information when designing blood donation campaigns that target young people.

Comparison between a laser lancing device and lancet for capillary blood sampling, capillary blood hemoglobin measurement, and blood typing

BACKGROUND

Blood donor screening includes tests using capillary blood, which is usually obtained by finger pricking using a lancet; however, the lancet has some shortcomings, such as skin puncture pain and needle stick injury. Recently, laser lancing devices for finger-prick sampling have been developed. We compared capillary blood Hb (cHb) levels and blood typing results obtained using a laser lancing device with those obtained using a lancet.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

cHb levels, blood typing results, and skin puncture pain scores were assessed in 191 participants. Finger-prick sampling was performed using LMT-1000 (LaMeditech, Seoul, Korea) and a lancet on the same finger on different hands. Paired venous Hb (vHb) levels were assessed in 103 participants using an automated hematology analyzer and compared with the cHb levels obtained using both lancing devices.

RESULTS

The paired cHb results obtained with the laser lancing device and lancet showed a strong correlation (r = 0.927, p < .001) without any significant difference (p = .113) and a substantial agreement (κ = 0.654) for the identification of participants with a low Hb level (<12.5 g/dl). cHb levels were significantly higher than vHb levels with both lancing devices (mean differences: 0.27-0.43 g/dl). The results of blood typing using the laser lancing device showed 100% accuracy. Use of the laser lancing device showed significantly lower skin puncture pain scores (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Use of a laser lancing device for capillary Hb measurement and blood typing showed accurate results, with significantly reduced skin puncture pain. Laser lancing devices could be feasible for donor screening tests.

"Blood for Blood"? Personal Motives and Deterrents for Blood Donation in the German Population

It is crucial to provide updated knowledge about blood (non-)donors, as it is necessary to design targeted interventions with the aim of retaining blood donors and thus contributing to a functioning health system. This study investigates the prevalence and socio-demographic patterning of lifetime blood donation, assessing blood donation intention within the next 12 months and exploring personal motives and deterrents of blood donation qualitatively in the German population. A face-to-face cross-sectional survey with 2531 respondents was conducted, representative of the German population in terms of age, gender, and residency. Closed as well as open questions were asked. Qualitative content analysis was used for coding the qualitative material. Basic descriptive statistics were conducted to address our research questions. More than one-third of the participants reported that they have donated blood at least once in their lifetime. Motives and deterrents were assigned to 10 domains with 50 main categories and 65 sub-categories. The most frequently stated motives for blood donation were "altruism", "social responsibility", and "charity", whereas the most frequently stated deterrents were "health status", "age", and "lack of time". This study provides information to tailor recruitment and reactivation strategies to address donors at different career steps-from non-donor to loyal donor.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation and the role of religious beliefs among health sciences undergraduate students

There is a consensus on the importance of education of the population for blood donation. Considering that health sciences undergraduate students will play an important role of opinion makers in their social/professional networks in the future, the present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of the blood donation and religious beliefs among students of a public Brazilian university. All students enrolled in courses of Ribeirão Preto Medical School in 2019 were invited (N = 550). The questionnaire was composed by sociodemographic and behavioral variables, an instrument regarding blood donation attitude and practice, the Blood Donation Knowledge Questionnaire (BDKQ-Brazil) and the Duke University Religious Index (DUREL). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate sex- and age-adjusted odds ratios for the relations between sociodemographic/behavioral characteristics and blood donation practice. The association between the responses to the BDKQ-Brazil and blood donation practice was performed using Fisher's Exact Test. Three hundred and forty students were included (81.5% females). Blood donation has been a common practice for part of the students, who have almost entirely shown a positive attitude towards donation and a high rate of self-efficacy regarding their practice. However, less than expected knowledge was observed. Regarding religious beliefs, lower scores of non-organizational and intrinsic religiosity were detected among those male students who never donated blood. Our results suggest the need to develop educational activities for students aiming, in addition to their awareness of the practice of donation, the spread of information regarding blood donation in the future.

Knowing the Blood Nondonor to Activate Behaviour

This work is aimed at further developing the study of blood nondonor behaviour through a joint analysis of sociodemographic characteristics, psychological and physical barriers, impure altruism and anticipated emotions, as predictors of intention to donate. To that end, a step-by-step hierarchical regression analysis was applied on a sample of 2383 Spanish nondonors. The study’s results confirm the influence of traditional variables (sociodemographic characteristics, psychological and physical barriers and impure altruism), as well as the power of anticipated emotions, both positive and negative, of donation action and inaction as variables explaining the intention to donate. Another important contribution has been to develop the moderating role of psychological and physical barriers, in addition to impure altruism, on cause–effect relationships between anticipated emotions and intention to donate. A number of practical implications can be derived from this study for transfusion centres responsible for donation promotion.