Blood Donation across the Life Course: The Influence of Life Events on Donor Lapse

Abstract

This article examines how blood donation loyalty changes across the life course as a result of life events. Previous studies have shown that life events affect involvement in prosocial behavior, possibly as a result of loss of human and social capital. Using registry data from the blood collection agency in the Netherlands, linked to longitudinal survey data from the Donor InSight study (N = 20,560), we examined whether life events are related to blood donor lapse. Childbirth, losing a job, and starting a job increase the likelihood of donor lapse, while health-related events (i.e., blood transfusion in a family member, death of a family member) decrease the likelihood of donor lapse. Moreover, results showed how social and practical concerns explain donors’ decisions to donate blood after the occurrence of life events. We discuss theoretical implications for further studies on prosocial and health-related behavior.

Long‐term return and donation pattern of those who begin donating at different ages: A retrospective cohort analysis of blood donors in Australia

“…19 They often lose the (convenient) opportunity to donate when they move out of school or university, 11 as these places often have blood collection initiatives. 7 The impact of this can be compounded by other life-related events disproportionately experienced by younger donors such as starting a new job and moving to another place, 9,20 which can also deter return and regular donation. Further, younger donors who come back to donate are also likely to disproportionately experience deferrals due to lifestyle related reasons (such as tattoos, travel etc), low iron levels or anaemia, 2,[19][20][21] and vasovagal reactions, 22 all of which can further increase risk of lapse.…”

“…[30][31][32][33] This difference in results may be due to different screening and eligibility criteria between men and women in Australia compared with other countries (such as, a longer inter-donation intervals for women). 21 Further, a lower participation in blood donation by women may be caused by a higher deferral rate for anaemia or iron-deficiency, 34,35 pregnancy and breastfeeding, 6,9,30,35 and higher rates of donation related anxiety and vasovagal reactions. 34,36 Interestingly, although Misje and colleagues reported similar donation behaviour in both male and female donors aged >45 years old, 30 we observed a significant difference in the number of whole-blood and plasma donations made by male and female donors older than 30 years old, with male donors making relatively more donations.…”

“…[6][7][8] It is possible that donors who initially have lower rates of return and donation may still return and donate more frequently once they reach a certain age or phase of life such as after achieving job stability. 9 However, such hypotheses can only be assessed in studies that follow donation behavior for a longer period of time.…”

“…Although previous research has examined the donation trajectories of first‐time donors by demographic segments such as age and sex, the follow‐up periods in these studies have been short 6–8 . It is possible that donors who initially have lower rates of return and donation may still return and donate more frequently once they reach a certain age or phase of life such as after achieving job stability 9 . However, such hypotheses can only be assessed in studies that follow donation behavior for a longer period of time.…”

Gone, but haven't forgotten: insights on plasmapheresis donation from lapsed donors

“…Having a medical issue, a negative physical experience, inconvenience and time constraints have been identified as reasons for either lapsing from, or stopping, whole‐blood donation [3–6]. Increasingly, research findings suggest that deterrents to donation, and reasons for lapsing from whole‐blood donation, differ by gender, life‐stage and country of donation [6–7]. Piersma and colleagues (2019) investigated the relationship between key life course‐related events and donor lapse among whole‐blood donors in the Netherlands and Denmark [7–8].…”