Finding effective ways to retain blood donors is crucial. This study seeks to compare, in a context of a voluntary and nonremunerated system, donor demographics and deterrents to blood donation among plasma/platelet donors (PPDs), regular whole blood donors (WBDs), and lapsed whole blood donors (LWBD). Among 1879 participants to a survey on motivations, time use, and blood donation, 207 WBDs (26%) and 148 PPDs (31%) said that they reduced their donation frequency over the last 5 years. Participants to this survey also included 609 LWBDs, who did not donate in the past 5 years. We asked about reasons why they reduce or cease to donate blood and demographic variables. χ(2) Tests were completed to determine which deterrents stand out across the 3 blood donor groups. The deterrent indicating the highest percentage was "time constraints related to work or studies" (43% for all respondents). Comparison of WBDs, LWBDs, and PPDs shows that results for 7 deterrents were statistically different between the 3 groups. Obstacles to donating blood also vary based on sex, age (life course), and level of education. Blood collection agencies should consider developing new retention strategies tailored to blood donors, taking into account the specific profiles of female/male donors, events that typically occur at various stages of life, and particular challenges associated with differences in levels of education.

Trust issues, perceived discrimination and social exclusion have structural and historical roots that can only be partly overcome with long-term efforts to increase awareness, develop collaborative partnerships and increase institutional efforts to adapt to the challenges of blood donation from Black citizens.

This study sought to compare demographics and donation motivations among plasma/platelet donors (PPDs) and whole blood donors (WBDs), in a voluntary and non-remunerated context. Motives to donate blood and demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires completed by 795 WBDs and 473 PPDs. Comparison of WBDs and PPDs under chi-square tests showed that 17 out of 23 motivators were statistically different according to various demographic variables. These results demonstrate the existence of specific donor profiles both for WBDs and PPDs. Agencies should develop new recruitment strategies tailored to these donors, especially if they wish to convince WBDs to convert to apheresis donation.

The debate on the limits and relevance of the different name generators comes with the development of social network studies. The core questions are: What are they supposed to construct? For what research question? Some procedures tend to choose a precise target with a unique name generator; others prefer to use a series of name generators. The authors discuss here some specificities and advantages of these methods for ego-centered networks. The authors then present the ''contextual'' name generator, which was developed in longitudinal qualitative panel studies in France and Québec. This tool gives access to a great variety of information focused on sociological questions. Its original design differentiates two complementary stages to distinguish the global contexts-based network from specific resource-based networks. This tool remains flexible and may be adapted to different topics

This overview of contemporary representations of blood in relation to blood donation in Quebec illustrates that though this substance might be disenchanted for many, it still maintains its mysteriousness for others, which underpins the importance of its social, cultural, and religious representations that can potentially lead to useful avenues in improving donor recruitment and retention.

BackgroundThe demand for therapeutic plasma‐derived products poses a challenge to blood collection agencies (BCAs). In 2014–2015, the volume of plasma sent for fractionation met 17.7% of Quebec's needs for immunoglobulins. This article aims to offer an exploration of the paths blood donors follow in order to become plasma and platelet donors (PPDs).Study Design and MethodThis analysis is based on semi‐structured interviews with 50 PPDs in Quebec, Canada. Our analysis focused on the occurrence of events and the presence of contextual elements identified through: (1) factual data on PPDs; and (2) what PPDs identified as being an influence on their donation experience. This information was synthesized using a typology of trajectories.ResultsSix typical trajectories have been distinguished, first by the presence (19/50 respondents) or absence (31/50) of blood donation as a family tradition. Of the latter 31 donors, some pointed instead to inherited family values as having a significant influence on their commitment (11/31). Donors' careers were then distinguished as having started early (34) or late (16). Sub‐types then appeared with the addition of other contextual elements, motivation profiles, and circumstances under which the conversion to apheresis donation occurred.ConclusionOur findings suggest the existence of diversified donor trajectories, and confirm the importance of conducting more in‐depth analyses of the sequence of events occurring along PPDs career. BCAs should develop strategies carefully tailored to different potential clienteles if they wish to convert whole blood donors to apheresis donation, and also focus on recruiting and retaining young PPDs.

Such knowledge of the geography of blood donations makes it possible to better target certain regions when planning new blood drives, to ensure a constant blood supply.

Blood donation involves precise regulations aiming to protect donors and recipients. At the beginning of the 1980's, thousands of Canadians were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. To prevent the contamination of blood products, health authorities asked Haitians, among other groups, to voluntarily refrain from giving blood. Witness testimonies at the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada (Krever Commission) show how profoundly affected Haitians were by these events. Today, we know that it is preferable to use phenotyped blood from the same community as the donor in the case of certain diseases. Increasing blood donation from the Black community is believed to be the best way to find donors who will be compatible with patients suffering from sickle-cell disease. Blood supply agencies such as Héma-Québec are seeking to convince Haitians to give blood in greater numbers. However, this task represents a great challenge, since, less than one generation ago, authorities asked that Haitians voluntarily abstain from donating blood. This paradoxical situation inspired the present analysis. Through the conceptual lens of a constructivist approach to ethnicity, this case study draws on a number of sources. By retracing the history of this community and the major events that have affected it over the decades, we are brought to a better understanding of the perceptions and realities of the Haitian community in Montreal with regard to blood donation. Our analyses show that even if Haitian-Quebec leaders are positively disposed towards blood donation, our results also expose that past events of the 1980's have not been forgotten. Even if many are now willing to give blood to meet specific medical needs, for some, this could also contradict the usual universalist and altruistic message of blood donation. This case study highlights the importance of examining what happens at the relational boundary between minority and majority groups: after all, these events also contribute to redefining them. RésuméLe don de sang au Québec est encadré par des règles définies pour protéger les donneurs et ceux qui doivent subir une transfusion sanguine. Au début des années 1980, des milliers de Canadiens seront infectés par le VIH et l'Hépatite C. Pour prévenir la contamination des produits sanguins, les autorités sanitaires ont invité certains groupes, dont les Haïtiens, à s'abstenir volontairement de donner du sang. Les témoignages à la Commission d'enquête sur l'approvisionnement en sang au Canada (Commission Krever) ont montré à quel point les Haïtiens-Québécois en ont été affectés. Aujourd'hui, on sait qu'il est préférable d'utiliser le sang phénotypé qui provient de la même communauté que le donneur dans le cas de certaines maladies. Par exemple, l'augmentation de dons de sang de la communauté noire serait la meilleure façon de trouver des donneurs compatibles avec les patients atteints d'anémie falciforme. Convaincre les Haïtiens de donner du sang en plus grand nombre semble pourtant un véritable défi du fait q...