Impact Analysis of the National Guidelines for Blood Donor Selection in India: A Single Center Study

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 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.

Characteristics and causes of pre-donation deferrals at a Chinese blood center

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to understand the causes and characteristics of the pre-donation deferral, so as to enhance blood safety and improve donor satisfaction.

BACKGROUND

Blood transfusion is crucial in managing a variety of different medical and surgical needs. Its benefits are manifold but there are risks for the recipients. Thus some blood donors are deferred from donating when they do not meet certain criteria. An in-depth understanding of the underlying causes of donor deferral will not only improve donor selection but also ensure blood safety and avoid donor complaints.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center experience was carried out from 26th July 2018 to 25th July 2019 on all whole blood donors in Tianjin, China. Donors' demographics and information were retrieved; comparisons between deferral data were summarized by the Chi-square test using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) application version 22. The difference between groups were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 190,846 participants were included; whereby 119,951 (62.85 %) of participants were first-time blood donors. The pre-donation deferral rate was 9.26 %, and deferral was more likely seen in first-time donors, male donors, and donors of age above 35 years (p < 0.05). Overall, raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) contributed to 48.46 % of all temporary deferrals, followed by lipaemia (20.71 %). For female donors, low hemoglobin was the leading cause of temporary deferral. Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (Hepatitis B) and syphilis were the two common causes of permanent deferrals, with incidence at 11.65 % and 3.93 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Pre-donation deferral remains a significant problem in China and accounted for 9.26 % of participants in this study. Raised ALT and lipaemia were common temporary deferrals, especially among first-time donors, males, and older donors. Appropriate interventions should be taken to address the blood quality, improve the donor retention strategies in order to secure an adequate and safe blood supply.