Two decades of voluntary nonremunerated blood donation in Shenzhen, China

The high prevalence of occult hepatitis B infections among the partners of chronically infected HBV blood donors emphasizes the potential residual risk to blood safety

A small percentage of couples who regularly donated blood in China tested positive for HBsAg. Although it is well known that blood donors can acquire hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from a chronically infected sexual partner, the prevalence of occult hepatitis B infections (OBIs) among blood donations from partners of HBV-infected chronically infected spouses and the risk to blood safety remain poorly understood. Among 212 763 blood donors, 54 pairs of couples (108 donations) were enrolled because one partner tested positive for HBsAg. Several molecular and serological examinations were conducted. The origin of HBV transmission between sexual partners was investigated further. Also evaluated was the potential risk of HBV infection with OBIs. We identified 10 (10/54, 18.6%) sexual partners of chronically infected HBV donors who were positive for HBV DNA, including five samples (9.3%) with OBIs, of which 3 (3/54, 5.6%, 1 in 70 921 donations) passed the routine blood screening tests. Seven of the 10 HBV-DNA-positive couples contracted the virus possibly through sexual or close contact. Among infected couples, immune escape mutations were observed. A high prevalence of OBIs was found among the partners of chronically infected HBV blood donors, posing a potential threat to blood safety.

Research on the socioeconomic factors that influence the development of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation in China-A correlation and regression analysis based on data from 2012 to 2018

Background and Aims

Previous research has shown that socioeconomic factors, such as income and education, are associated with blood donation behavior. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence blood donation behavior using a large database of blood donation records and to provide further empirical evidence and insights into the factors that influence blood donation behavior and to identify potential strategies to increase blood donation rates in China.

Methods

This study employed correlation analysis and regression analysis to investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors on blood donation rates in 36 major cities in China. The study also used the K-Means clustering algorithm to identify the socioeconomic factors that influence blood donation behavior at the per capita level. Additionally, the study conducted correlation analysis between the donor's age groups and the socioeconomic factors. The indices of economy and education were determined by correlation analysis.

Results

At the city level, overall economic output and university student populations were positively correlated with total blood donation times. However, at the per capita level, this linear relationship disappeared. By applying the K-Means clustering algorithm, the cities were divided into subgroups where the linear relationship reemerged. The study also found that the number of college students had a linear relationship with blood donors between the ages of 18-34.

Conclusion

City characteristics and demographics significantly impact blood donation rates in different ways. A universal policy may have limited effect given the heterogeneity across cities. Tailored interventions targeting specific city clusters and education levels are needed to promote blood donation behavior, especially among youth and students. Investment in education and targeted education on blood donation appear particularly impactful. A combined approach integrating social and economic policies will likely be most effective.

Perceptions and Experiences of Migrants in Korea Regarding Blood Donation in Association with Sociodemographic Status

Background

With increasing number of migrants in Korea, there is an increasing need for blood products with rare blood antigens. Accordingly, the role of blood donors among migrants has been acknowledged. We investigated migrants’ experiences and perceptions of blood donation along with their sociodemographic status and identified the effects on self-reported blood donation status.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey using a self-developed, structured questionnaire was conducted on 479 migrants. The questionnaire included items about experiences, knowledge, and perceptions on blood donation and sociodemographic factors of respondents.

Results

Most migrants in this study were from Southeast Asia (54.7%) or China (39.9%). Among them, 28.6% (N=137) had donated blood previously, and 2.7% (N=13) had previously donated blood in Korea. All previous blood donors were volunteers, and the two major deterrents of blood donation for non-donors were the fear of pain and lack of knowledge about blood donation. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the country of birth (odds ratio [OR]=2.65, P<0.001 [China]; OR=4.85, P=0.001 [countries other than China and Southeast Asian countries]) and employment status (OR=2.80, P=0.034) were independently associated with blood donation.

Conclusions

This is the first Korean study to analyze migrants’ experiences and perceptions of blood donation in relation to their sociodemographic status. Our findings can help establish blood donation policies for migrants, devise campaigns to enhance blood donation awareness, and ultimately create a pool of rare blood resources in a multicultural society.

The development of a legal framework for blood donation and blood safety in China over 24 years

Background

This study analyzes the regulation of and developments in blood donation in China from 1996 to 2019, and demonstrates the government’s efforts to improve blood safety.

Results

Since the implementation of the Blood Donation Law in 1998, the number of blood donors in China increased by 275% from 1998 to 2018 (from 4 million to 15 million). The principle of no-fault liability was proposed and has been applied since 2010 to the tort liability related to blood transfusion malpractice. In 2015, mutual blood donation accounted for 4.2% of the national collection. However, in some provinces of China, the percentage of mutual blood donation increased from 9.3 to 35.6% in 2016. The National Health Commission canceled mutual blood donation in March of 2018. Since 2015, nucleic acid amplification testing has become a routine test item for screening blood.

Conclusions

The Chinese government institutionalized the voluntary non-remunerated donation principle, enacted regulations for the management of blood transfusion, and adopted advanced blood testing technology to sustain blood supply and ensure blood safety. Despite increased blood donation, blood shortages persist. The quality and safety of blood collection can be further improved through the cancellation of mutual blood donation and incentive measures for voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood, which needs facilitation by governmental legislation.

Demographical Pattern of Blood Donors and Pre-Donation Deferral Causes in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Background

Understanding the demographic features of blood donors is important for identifying the donor structure and guiding the recruitment and retention strategies of donors. This study was aimed to determine the demographic characteristics of blood donors, the types of donation drives, and the frequency and reasons for pre-donation deferral in our population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included data analysis of all prospective blood donors presenting themselves for donation at the Blood Bank of the King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia between January 2010 and December 2018. Eligibility of blood donation was assessed using a standardized history questionnaire, physical examination, hemoglobin estimation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature. The questionnaire included the demographic features of the donor such as age, gender, and the reason for donation and other specific risk factors that potentially affect the safety of the donor or the recipient. Data analyzed using the analysis of SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) were used to calculate the unadjusted odds ratios (OR) and the respective 95% confidence interval for the association between the various demographic parameters.

Results

A total of 28,189 potential donations were recorded during the study period; of these, 77.4% were family replacements with females accounting for only 1.8% of all donations. Most of the donors were Saudi nationals (92.1%) of whom donors between 18 and 34 years old constituted 87.9%, while those over 40 years old represented only 7.9% of the donations. Pre-donation temporary deferral occurred in 3300 (11.7%) of all potential donation attempts. The most common causes being the recent intake of medication (24.4%) followed by low hemoglobin (14.8%), low or high blood pressure (14.6%), low or high pulse rate (13.6%), and low weight (11.6%).

Conclusion

A profile of blood donors consisting mainly of young male citizens who mostly donated for family replacement was detected. Deferral rate was found to be average when compared to other countries; the causes being similar to those detected in other developed countries. Simple descriptive statistics has shown no marked difference was noted over the 9 years of the study in neither the profile of blood donors nor the cause for temporary deferral of prospective blood donors.

Blood donation from 2006 to 2015 in Zhejiang Province, China: annual consecutive cross-sectional studies

OBJECTIVES

To describe the basic demographical characteristics of whole blood donors in Zhejiang Province, China, from 2006 to 2015 and to examine the trends in individual characteristics associated with blood donation and the relationship between weight and donation.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study comparing characteristics of blood donors and annual donations for the period 2006 to 2015.

SETTING

Urban and rural communities in Zhejiang, China (11 cities, 89 districts or counties and 1379 townships).

PARTICIPANTS

3 226 571 volunteer blood donors.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Volume of each whole blood donation and donation frequency. All data were collected by trained staff and entered into a standardised electronic information system.

RESULTS

The number of blood donations generally trended up in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2015. Donors were predominately males aged 18 to 25 years, but this major donor age group shifted to the 26 to 45 year range by 2015. The rate of repeated blood donation was 30.8 per cent. The blood volume per donation concentrated in 200 mL and 400 mL categories has been gradually shifted to 300 mL and 400 mL. Approximately one-third of donors had a college education. The average weight of donors increased over time for both men and women. Both the blood volume of each donation and donation frequency were proportional to weight.

CONCLUSIONS

The trend of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation in Zhejiang province is positive. However, given the expected growth in demand for whole blood, more research is needed to increase both the donor pool and the rate of repeated donation. The relationship between body weight and blood donation warrants further study because while improving nutritional status is associated with higher average donation volume and more frequent donations, overnutrition may lead to poorer quality of donated blood. Blood donation may present a unique opportunity for health education and body weight management to monitor and improve population health.

Socio-demographic characteristics of Danish blood donors

Background

Blood transfusion is an essential component of a modern healthcare system. Because knowledge about blood donor demography may inform the design of strategies for donor recruitment and retention, we used nationwide registers to characterize the entire population of blood donors in Denmark in 2010.

Methods

The study population comprised all Danes in the age range eligible for blood donation (N = 3,236,753) at the end of 2010. From the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions (SCANDAT) register, we identified 174,523 persons who donated blood in Danish blood banks at least once in 2010. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and blood donor prevalence was examined using regression models.

Results

The overall prevalence of blood donation was 5.4% among both women and men. The age-specific prevalence of blood donation peaked at 25 years of age (6.8%) for women and 30 years of age (5.7%) for men. Children of any age were associated with lower prevalence of blood donation among women, while the opposite was seen for men. Middle to high income groups, but not the highest income group, had fourfold higher donor prevalence than the lowest income group (6.7% compared to 1.7%). The prevalence of blood donation was considerably lower among men living with their parents (2.9%) or alone (3.9%) than among men cohabitating with a woman (6.2%).

Summary

Social marginalization, as indicated by low income and being a male living without a woman, was associated with lower prevalence of blood donation. However, individuals with very high incomes and women with children were underrepresented in the Danish blood donor population.

Designing and Implementing a 5-Year Transfusion Medicine Diploma Program in China

The need for physicians and technical consultants specialized in transfusion medicine is urgent in China, as there are 20 000 hospitals and 500 blood centers in need of staff with this expertise. The progress made in transfusion medicine as a specialty has been relatively slow in China. Current Chinese medical education and service systems have not developed transfusion medicine as a stand-alone medical specialty. Most physicians receive only minimal training in transfusion medicine in medical school. This training is usually integrated into surgical training and addresses the most common technologies. In 2008, a 5-year bachelor's diploma program in transfusion medicine was established as an undergraduate specialty in Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. This article intends to summarize the 8 years of experience educating undergraduates in the specialty of transfusion medicine.