Women as whole blood donors: offers, donations and deferrals in the province of Huelva, south-western Spain

Blood donation practice and its associated factors among Polish population: secondary data analysis

Introduction

Blood transfusion is an intervention widely used in therapeutics (e.g., in the perioperative period), thus, knowledge about factors associated with blood donation is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors, personal values and life satisfaction on blood donation in Poland.

Methods

Secondary analysis of data. A multiple logistic regression was carried out to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors, life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), personal values (Personal Values List) and blood donation.

Results

Of the 770 respondents aged 18-65 years, 262 respondents (34%) donated blood at least once in their lives. Respondents who believed that blood donation is safe (OR = 1.71; Cl95%: 1.20 to 2.43), were male (OR = 1.47; Cl95%: 1.26 to 1.72), married (OR = 1.31; Cl95%: 1.11 to 1.54) and those with high school education (OR = 0.81; Cl95%: 0.66 to 0.99) were more often blood donors.

Conclusion

Perceived blood donation safety and sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital status, and education level may influence blood donation. Health education is necessary to increase knowledge and shape positive attitudes toward blood donation among the society.

REASONS FOR DEFERRAL IN DEFERRED VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS IN EASTERN CROATIA

When choosing a voluntary blood donor (VBD), it is important to ensure the donor health, and at the same time to produce a quality and safe blood product. The donor selection process leads to donor rejection related to their current health condition. The aim of this study was to determine gender differences in VBDs, to examine the reasons for their rejection, and to determine the share of permanently and temporarily deferred VBD, especially due to low hemoglobin levels. The research was conducted in eastern Croatia in the 2014 to 2018 period. The study included 144,041 blood donations from a total of 80,418 VBDs, of which 83.3% of donations were from male VBDs and 16.7% from female VBDs. There were 11.46% of temporarily deferred and permanently rejected donors. Out of all temporarily deferred donors and possible reasons for deferral, the largest share of deferrals referred to a reduced hemoglobin level, which accounted for 54% in female VBD and 46% in male VBD. Female VBDs made up to one-third of total VBDs and account for one-sixth of total blood donations. Low hemoglobin was the most common reason for VBD deferral. Gender and age are related to blood hemoglobin levels in rejected and accepted donors. Female VBDs represent a potential reservoir for increasing the total number of VBDs.

The risks of low hemoglobin deferral in a large retrospective cohort of plasmapheresis donors and the influence factors of return for a subsequent donation in China

Background

According to the Technical Operation Procedures for Plasmapheresis Collection Station (2019) in China, plasmapheresis donors with low hemoglobin (Hb) levels (men <12.0 g/dL; women <11.0 g/dL) were deferred for at least 2 weeks. The purpose of this retrospective study was to survey the demographic characteristics of plasmapheresis donors with low Hb deferral (LHD) and identify at-risk LHD donors, so as to enhance donor safety and improve donation service management.

Methods

From 2018 to 2020, a multi-center study involving plasmapheresis donors from 18 plasmapheresis centers in three provinces (Sichuan, Yunnan and Hunan) of China was conducted. Donor demographics (age, sex) and donation information (date of donation, first-time donors vs. repeat donors, the number of lifetime donations, the number of donations in the last 12 months, and whether the LHD donor returned for a subsequent donation) were collected. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method was used to explore the risk factors for LHD while adjusting for the different provinces. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors influencing the return for a subsequent donation after LHD.

Results

A total of 497,039 plasmapheresis donors were included. Female donors' LHD rate was 0.15% on average, while male donors' LHD rate was 0.01%. Female donors aged 41-50 years old (OR: 2.276, 95% CI [1.333-3.887], p = 0.002) were more likely to experience LHD temporarily than those aged 18-30 years old. For female donors, compared with donations in the winter, they had a higher risk for LHD in the summer (OR: 2.217, 95% CI [1.670-2.943], p < 0.001), spring (OR: 2.402, 95% CI [1.806-3.196], p < 0.001), and fall (OR: 2.002, 95% CI [1.500-2.673], p < 0.001). Among the LHD donors, those who had donated more frequently in the past were more likely to return for a subsequent donation (p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Female donors were at a higher risk of LHD, particularly between the ages of 41 and 50. A clear seasonal pattern in the rate of LHD was observed. In the winter, the risk of LHD was the lowest; thus, it was advised to recruit plasmapheresis donors throughout the winter and to make the required adjustments for recruitment measures during other seasons. The number of previous donations was correlated with the return rate after LHD. Our observations could have practical implications for plasmapheresis donor management.

Trends in unsuitability for blood donation in the Brazilian Amazon

Introduction

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors are usually associated with the unsuitability to donate blood. Understanding the reasons behind the exclusion of blood bags is crucial for reducing donor deferral rates. This study aimed to characterize the profile of unsuitable donors in the Blood Center of the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas.

Methods

This is a retrospective study, based on documentary analysis of electronic medical records obtained in the Hematology and Hemotherapy Foundation of the state of Amazonas. This study included all individuals with complete medical records (n = 87,463) who tried to donate blood between 2017 and 2019.

Results

The overall rate of donor unsuitability was 19.12% (n = 16,627) and the main reason was poor nutritional status (15.17%), followed by chronic health problems (11.40%), risky sexual behavior (9.5%) and exposure to risk (8.83%). High blood pressure figured as the leading cause of unsuitability among chronic health conditions (85.19%), while having sex with multiple partners (92.63%) was the main sexual risk behavior. The risk of exposure to malaria was responsible for 99.45% of unsuitability among those who were unsuitable due to exposure to risk factors. Deferral rates were associated with increasing age and replacement donation, which was the predominant type of donation. Women had the highest rates of unsuitability, mainly during the first donation (37.04%).

Discussion

This study provides the first known profile of blood donor unsuitability in the Brazilian Amazon and raises awareness of the region-specific needs that must be met to reduce blood donor unsuitability.

Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Types in the Northern Asir Region in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ABO blood group system is used to denote the presence of one, both, or neither of the A and B antigens on erythrocytes. In humans, this is the most important of the 43 different blood type (or group) classification systems currently recognized. Distribution of ABO and Rh among the Saudi population could affect many factors such as blood transfusion, prognosis, resistance and susceptibility to diseases. The impetus of this study was to develop an understanding of the distribution of the ABO and Rh types of healthy volunteer blood donors in the northern Asir region of Saudi Arabia, comparing the findings to similar studies. Understanding the frequency of different blood types in different populations is imperative.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study was performed during the period of January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, using samples from 4167 voluntary subjects obtained from the blood bank of the King Abdullah Hospital, Bisha. Commercially provided anti-A, anti-B and anti-D antibodies were used for the standard blood grouping procedure.

RESULTS

The findings in this study showed that O was the most prominent ABO blood group, whereas AB was the least so. The frequency of the blood type A was the second highest, followed by the blood group B, whereas Rh positivity was more common than Rh negativity.

CONCLUSION

O+ > A+ > B+ > O-> AB+> A-> B- > AB- was found to be the order of blood group frequency in the current study.

Voluntary blood donation among female health care university students in Saudi Arabia, knowledge and status

Context:

Blood donation is an essential lifesaving procedure. There is a continuous effort to supply the high demand in hospitals.

Aims:

To assess the current status, knowledge, and attitudes of female health care students in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) regarding blood donation.

Settings and Design:

A cross-sectional study was done with students in the female campus of KSAU-HS in Riyadh.

Methods and Material:

The sample was categorized based on the college and year of study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed during the first semester of the 2018–2019 academic year to an estimated 20%–25% of students per batch.

Statistical analysis used:

Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).

Results:

A total of 302 students completed the questionnaire with a median age of 21 years and a range of 18–30 years. Only 14.6% of the sample previously donated blood, with half of this group donating more than once. Just less than half (48.7%, n = 147) have been exposed previously to a university campaign related to blood donation. The majority (74.5%, n = 225) knew their blood type, small proportions (16.6%, n = 50) and (10.9%, n = 33) reported knowing family members or friends requiring blood products. More than half (57.6%) of the students admitted not having sufficient knowledge regarding blood donation, and the majority (75.1%) were not aware of the quantity of blood collected during a donation. Two-thirds, 31.4% and 32.1% agree and strongly agree, respectively, that blood donation is a duty that every individual should perform. Just more than half (53%) of the students strongly agreed that they are motivated to donate blood on moral or religious grounds.

Conclusion:

The proportion of prior blood donation in the sample was low. This is due, in part, to inadequate knowledge about the donation process. Given that many students felt motivated to donate, it is possible that raising awareness through educational interventions could increase donations in female health care students.

Voluntary Blood Donation Among Bahir Dar University Students: Application of Integrated Behavioral Model, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Introduction

The World Health Organization recommends that 1% to 3% of a country's population should donate blood to meet its demand and should focus on young people to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation. The aim of this study was to assess voluntary blood donation among Bahir Dar University students by using an integrated behavioral model.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Bahir Dar University students from March 1–21, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select 625 study participants. Data were entered in Epi data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 23.0 for analysis. Path analysis was done using Stata 15 to check the causal effect of the integrated behavioral model constructs on voluntary blood donation. Internal consistency and validity of constructs were checked using Cronbach’s alpha and exploratory factor analysis, respectively. Multivariable linear and logistics regression were used to predict independent predictors on intention and voluntary blood donation, respectively. The significant independent predictor was declared at 95% confidence interval and P-value < 0.05.

Results

One hundred and four (16.8%) university students donated blood voluntarily. Being female (AOR = 1.92 (1.15–3.22)), being third year (AOR = 2.88 (1.55–5.35)), knowledge (AOR = 1.53 (1.32–1.77)), descriptive norm (AOR = 1.10 (1.01–1.12)) and intention (AOR = 1.42 (1.28–1.57)) were positively associated with blood donation. Injunctive norm (B = 0.06) and self-efficacy (B = 0.36) have significant association with intention. Intention, descriptive norm and knowledge have significant effect on blood donation with path coefficient 0.0, 0.09 and 0.48, respectively.

Conclusion

The magnitude of voluntary blood donation was low as compared to other similar studies. Descriptive norm, intention, knowledge, sex, year of study were significant predictors associated with voluntary blood donation. Therefore, behavioral change health communication strategies should develop to address these factors among the students. Researchers should conduct prospective analytical study design to examine the causal relationship of constructs of the model to develop better interventional strategy.

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.

Reasons of under-representation of Iranian women in blood donation

The under-representation of women in blood donation can lead to blood shortages. We aimed to determine the factors, which encourage or impede blood donations in women. The findings can help us in designing effective recruitment strategies that could encourage women to donate blood to cover the patients’ needs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, from the 1st of January 2017 to the 1st of August 2017 on women aged 18–60 years old. The demographic characteristics of the participants, the reasons that motivate blood donors and the factors that discourage non-donors were surveyed. Reasons for lapses in donors were also mentioned. The most frequent reasons for blood donation were altruistic causes (94.4%), moral and personal obligations (89.1%), the feeling of responsibility (82.7%), and awareness of the positive effects on their health (77.4%). The most common deterrents in non-donors were fear of developing anemia (68.4%) or weakness and dizziness (66%), unsuitability due to certain medical conditions (62.4%), and lack of a situation in which they were asked to donate blood (61.8%). Although altruistic reasons are the chief motivating factors for women to donate blood, the overall female contribution in blood donation remains low. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures aiming at informing women about the importance of blood donation and to reduce fears based on misinformation. Confidence in the blood donation organization must be a major consideration in future recruitment strategies to reassure women about the safety of blood donation.

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the Republic of Congo: review

Objective

Considered an endemic zone, Republic of Congo has a high seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B and C virus. To know the extent of hepatitis infection as a public health problem, we reviewed published literature and other sources for reports of these viral infections in the country.

Results

High seroprevalence of HBV and HCV carriage in blood donors were observed in studies confirming Congo’s place in the hyperendemic area of HBV and HCV infection. These prevalence were compared by Chi square test. We compared the prevalence of three studies conducted in 1996, 2015 and 2016. The statistical results were very significant. HBV genotype E was most prevalent. Very few studies were done on pregnant women. Difficulties in the care and management of patients were also noted because of the high cost of often unavailable treatments. Difficulties arise, however, when an attempt was made to implement the National Hepatitis Control Program. Despite studies conducted on hepatitis prevalence, health interventions are still needed to care and manage these patients and the need to implement the national hepatitis control is more pressing in the Congo.

Individual, contextual and network characteristics of blood donors and non-donors: a systematic review of recent literature

BACKGROUND

The ageing population and recent migration flows may negatively affect the blood supply in the long term, increasing the importance of targeted recruitment and retention strategies to address donors. This review sought to identify individual, network and contextual characteristics related to blood donor status and behaviour, to systematically discuss differences between study results, and to identify possible factors to target in recruitment and retention efforts.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted in accordance with a predefined PROSPERO protocol (CRD42016039591). After quality assessments by multiple independent raters, a final set of 66 peer-reviewed papers, published between October 2009 and January 2017, were included for review.

RESULTS

Individual and contextual characteristics of blood donor status and behaviour were categorised into five main lines of research: donor demographics, motivations and barriers, adverse reactions and deferral, contextual factors, and blood centre factors. Results on donor demographics, motivations and barriers, and contextual factors were inconclusive, differing between studies, countries, and sample characteristics. Adverse reactions and deferral were negatively related to blood donor behaviour. Blood centre factors play an important role in donor management, e.g., providing information, reminders, and (non-)monetary rewards. No studies were found on network characteristics of (non-)donors.

DISCUSSION

Although individual and contextual characteristics strongly relate to blood donor status and behaviour, mechanisms underlying these relations have not been studied sufficiently. We want to stress the importance of longitudinal studies in donor behaviour, exploring the role of life events and network characteristics within blood donor careers. Increased understanding of donor behaviour will assist policy makers of blood collection agencies, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding a sufficient and matching blood supply.

Insight into donor deferral pattern based on peripheral blood counts: An experience from South Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Donor deferral owing to anemia is one of the major causative factors of temporary donor rejection, which is preventable and treatable. The basic knowledge about frequency, types, and severity of anemia among donors will help plan a strategy to promote donor recruitment and overall national health.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to provide the predonation deferral rate of the healthy blood donors based on peripheral blood counts and second to determine the types of anemia along with its severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective records of all the reported donors were collected from January 2014 to December 2015 at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Donor samples were analyzed on an automated hematology analyzer.

RESULTS

Overall, 36,954 potential donors reported to the blood bank, out of which 33,853 were selected and 3101 were deferred, which makes the deferral rate of 8.39%. Majority of donors (n = 2663 [7.20%]) were deferred based on peripheral blood counts. Based on peripheral count, anemia (91.8%) represents the major cause of deferral, followed by raised total leukocyte count (3.7%) and polycythemia (3.3%), and thrombocytopenia (1.0%) was the least potential cause. Microcytic-hypochromic anemia was found in 58.5% of the donors followed by normocytic and macrocytic anemia in 38.9% and 2.4%, respectively. Mild anemia was seen in 78.2% followed by moderate and severe anemia in 20.5% and 1.18%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of anemia among blood donors signifies deteriorating health status not only in donor population but also in general population. This situation calls for more concerted efforts as otherwise it would lead to decreased blood donor pool.

Blood donor selection and deferral pattern as an important tool for blood safety in a tertiary care hospital

CONTEXT

Blood donor selection criteria based on science and regulatory rules influence donor as well recipient safety and demographics.

AIM

To evaluate and analyze the blood donor deferral pattern and its causes among blood donors in a tertiary care hospital blood bank and to review its influence on blood safety.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Hospital based blood bank, retrospective analysis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The data available as donor deferral record over a period of 13 years from 2001 to 2013 was analyzed.

RESULTS

The blood donor deferral rate was 11.5%, the deferral rate in various categories was 4.8%, 4.7%, 1.6%, and 0.3% in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4, respectively. The majority of deferrals were temporary deferrals (62.8%) of young donors. The maximum number of donors deferred (28.2%) due to a history of jaundice (permanent) followed by 19.4% due to low hemoglobin (temporary). History of malaria, intake of medicines, infections, underweight, last blood donation within 3 months (temporary deferral), and history of heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and with suspicious identity (permanent deferral) were other major causes identified.

CONCLUSION

The pattern of donor deferral identified is an important tool for blood safety and also provides key areas to focus on a region or policy formulation nationally for donor selection as well ensure donor safety. The value of determining donor deferral pattern by the categories described is in calling back donors deferred due to temporary reasons and can help retain pool of motivated blood donors.

Comparison of results of autologous versus homologous blood transfusion in open-heart surgery

Background

The aim of this study was to determine a method to decrease the use of homologous blood during openheart surgery using a simple blood-conservation protocol. We removed autologous blood from the patient before bypass and used isovolumetric substitution. We present the results of this protocol on morbidity and mortality of surgery patients from two distinct time periods.

Methods

Patients from the two surgical phases were enrolled in this retrospective study in order to compare the outcomes using autologous or homologous blood in open-heart surgery. A total of 323 patients were included in the study. The autologous transfusion group (group 1) comprised 163 patients and the homologous transfusion group (group 2) 160 patients. In group 1, autologous bloods were prepared via a central venous catheter that was inserted into the right internal jugular vein in all patients, using the isovolumetric replacement technique. The primary outcome was postoperative in-hospital mortality and mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included the length of stay in hospital and in intensive care unit (ICU), time for extubation, re-intubations, pulmonary infections, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias, renal disease, allergic reactions, mediastinitis and sternal dehiscence, need for inotropic support, and low cardiac-output syndrome (LCOS).

Results

The mean ages of patients in groups 1 and 2 were 64.2 ± 10.3 and 61.5 ± 11.6 years, respectively. Thirty-eight of the patients in group 1 and 30 in group 2 were female. There was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality in either group. The mean extubation time, and ICU and hospital stays were significantly shorter in group 1. Furthermore, postoperative drainage amounts were less in group 1. There were significantly fewer patients with postoperative pulmonary complications, pneumonia, atrial fibrillation and renal disease. The number of patients who needed postoperative inotropic support and those with low cardiac output was also significantly less in group 1.

Conclusion

Autologous blood transfusion is a safe and effective method in carefully selected patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It not only prevents transfusion-related co-morbidities and complications but also enables early extubation time and shorter ICU and hospital stay. Furthermore, it reduces the cost of surgery.