A review of whole‐blood donors' willingness, motives, barriers and interventions related to donating another substance of human origin

Abstract

Diversification of blood collection agencies' (BCAs) core business requires donors to donate substances of human origin (SoHO) beyond whole‐blood. Whole‐blood donors are assumed to be willing to convert to donate other SoHO as well as whole‐blood. However, no reviews consider the evidence on conversion (i.e., willingness/intention, behaviour, retention, attrition). This rapid review provides a narrative synthesis of whole‐blood donors' conversion to another SoHO, characteristics contributing to conversion, motives and deterrents, and interventions encouraging conversion. Sixty‐five studies were reviewed. Most were cross‐sectional and examined whole‐blood donor conversion to organ (willingness/pledge for deceased donation), plasma or stem cell donation. Most examined conversion rather than characteristics contributing to conversion, motives, deterrents or interventions. Whole‐blood donors appear willing to donate another SoHO, yet conversion rates are unclear. Besides self‐efficacy, there is little consistency in reported characteristics of donors converting, and few theories applied to understand characteristics encouraging conversion. Intrinsic (altruism, self‐esteem, curiosity) and extrinsic (perceived need, service experience, direct requests) motives and barriers (lifestyle, fearing reduced health) appear important and require further research. Interventions encouraging conversion need replication and may include in‐person, in‐centre approaches, raising awareness of the functional benefits of other SoHO (high need, usefulness), and developing promotional materials that pique donors' curiosity, invite questions, and encourage donor‐initiated conversations about conversion. Centralising BCAs as a single business or partnering with other organisations appears mutually beneficial to encourage conversion and sustainable panels/resources. Research is needed to understand the impact of encouraging conversion on donors and organisations, and identify optimal management strategies for multi‐SoHO donors.

What influences decisions to donate plasma? A rapid review of the literature

“…Additionally, three were mixed methods, and seven were experimental studies (e.g., randomized control trials). One article was a systematic review of whole blood donor willingness to convert to another substance of human origin [10]. Three were narrative reviews of motivations and deterrents towards plasma donation [11], motivations and compensation for plasma donation [12], and a summary of the current literature to provide strategies for BCAs [13].…”

“…Additionally, three were mixed methods, and seven were experimental studies (e.g., randomized control trials). One article was a systematic review of whole blood donor willingness to convert to another substance of human origin [10].…”

“Why don't you want my poop?” Willing stool donor's experiences of being ineligible to donate intestinal microbiota

“…These findings extend our limited knowledge of motives associated with willingness to donate intestinal microbiota 5,6 and offer new insights that can be used in a critical stage of donor recruitment where high volumes of would‐be donors are needed for initial eligibility screening. Findings also indicate the need for a typology that better represents motives for donating a range of human substances rather than solely blood 19 …”

“…Moreover, those attempting to donate intestinal microbiota in BCA settings are likely to be blood donors, thus providing insights about donors who (attempt to) give multiple substances. 19 In this study, we surveyed ineligible stool donors about their experience of being ineligible. We focused on how they found out about becoming a stool donor, and we adopted a mechanisms of altruism approach that considered potential stool donors' multiple motives for donating, beyond pure altruism.…”

“…Gaining insights from those who attempt to donate about their motives for donating, experience of determining eligibility, receiving eligibility outcomes, and how they feel about being temporarily or permanently ineligible is critical so that the eligibility screening process can be optimized. Moreover, those attempting to donate intestinal microbiota in BCA settings are likely to be blood donors, thus providing insights about donors who (attempt to) give multiple substances 19 …”