These data suggest that efforts to improve donors' perceptions of their donation experience, as well as attention to the physical effects of blood donation, may aid in the retention of both repeat and first-time donors.
Early linkage to care and engagement in care are critical for initiation of medical interventions. However, over 50% of newly diagnosed persons do not receive HIV-related care within 6 months of diagnosis. We evaluated a linkage to care and engagement in care initiative for HIV-positive adolescents in 15 U.S.-based clinics. Structural and client-level factors (e.g. demographic and behavioral characteristics, clinic staff and location) were evaluated as predictors of successful linkage and engagement. Within 32 months, 1172/1679 (69.8%) of adolescents were linked to care of which 1043/1172 (89%) were engaged in care. Only 62.1% (1043/1679) of adolescents were linked and engaged in care. Linkage to care failure was attributed to adolescent, provider, and clinic-specific factors. Many adolescents provided incomplete data during the linkage process or failed to attend appointments, both associated with failure to linkage to care. Additional improvements in HIV care will require creative approaches to coordinated data sharing, as well as continued outreach services to support newly diagnosed adolescents.
Innovative ways to increase donor understanding of the implications of risk behaviors and the limitations of current screening procedures should be developed. They might prevent high-risk individuals from donating blood.
Most donors reported skimming and not having difficulty understanding the educational materials. Some donors may be aware that they should not donate or are failing to assimilate the information in the materials. Methods to present information more clearly and concisely are clearly needed. However, some high-risk donors may still continue donating no matter how improved the educational materials are.
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