Understanding Canadian student motivations and beliefs about giving blood

• Published in: Transfusion (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 149 - 161
• Main Authors: Hupfer, M.E., Taylor, D.W., Letwin, J.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Malden, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01.02.2005; Blackwell Publishing
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Donors - psychology; Blood Donors - supply & distribution; Blood. Blood and plasma substitutes. Blood products. Blood cells. Blood typing. Plasmapheresis. Apheresis; Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care; Emergency and intensive respiratory care; Fear; Female; Health Education; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Motivation; Ontario; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Ontario; Motivation; Student; Transfusion
• ISSN: 0041-1132; 1537-2995
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.03374.x

BACKGROUND:  A better understanding of Canadian blood donor beliefs and motivations is needed to develop targeted interventions. Recruiters must know how motivation variables and correlation patterns differ with donor experience and sex. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Data addressing reasons for donating, statements about the blood supply, beliefs about donation consequences, and reasons for avoiding donation were collected from 450 undergraduates. Principal components analysis was used to investigate the underlying factorial structure of each domain. Men‐women and donor‐nondonor differences were explored with multivariate analysis of variance techniques. RESULTS:  A bivariate model better represented donor beliefs than did a bipolar conceptualization. Negative beliefs distinguished donors and nondonors more so than did positive factors. Altruism dominated reasons for donating, whereas logistic factors accounted for the most variance in donation avoidance. Women were more concerned about adverse physical consequences, and nondonors expressed higher levels of groundless donation‐related fears. CONCLUSION:  Recruiters should consider the sex and donation experience of targets when they develop recruitment and retention strategies. Education programs aimed at overcoming fears and heightening awareness of need are recommended, as are operational improvements aimed at reducing barriers posed by time and inconvenience.