Evaluation of the return rate of volunteer blood donors

Abstract

BackgroundTo convert first-time blood donors into regular volunteer donors is a challenge to transfusion services.ObjectivesThis study aims to estimate the return rate of first time donors of the Ribeirão Preto Blood Center and of other blood centers in its coverage region.MethodsThe histories of 115,553 volunteer donors between 1996 and 2005 were analyzed. Statistical analysis was based on a parametric long-term survival model that allows an estimation of the proportion of donors who never return for further donations.ResultsOnly 40% of individuals return within one year after the first donation and 53% return within two years. It is estimated that 30% never return to donate. Higher return rates were observed among Black donors. No significant difference was found in non-return rates regarding gender, blood type, Rh blood group and blood collection unit.ConclusionsThe low percentage of first-time donors who return for further blood donation reinforces the need for marketing actions and strategies aimed at increasing the return rates.

Donation frequency and its association with demographic characteristics – a 1‐year observational study

“…In the literature, the association between blood group and donation frequency has not been clearly established. A study found no significant difference in non‐return rates in regard to gender, blood type, Rh blood group and blood collection unit (Lourencon et al, ). While a multivariate analysis of the yield rate of first time donors showed that younger (16 and 17 years) and older (50+ years) donors, males, blood group O donors, and those without any initial adverse reaction were most likely to return (Notari et al, ).…”

Fear of blood, injections and fainting as barriers to blood donation in Brazil

“…This is below the median observed in high‐income countries, (32·1 donations per 1000 inhabitants per year (range 11·2–57·8)), but is compatible with the median observed in upper middle‐income countries (14·9, range 6·7–39·7) . At the Hemocenter of Ribeirão Preto, Southeast Brazil, it is estimated that only 32% of first‐time donors return within a five‐year period for new donations .…”

Blood donor to inactive donor transition in the Basel region between 1996 and 2011: a retrospective cohort study

“…For the prevention of blood shortages, it is essential for blood banks to design and implement adequate donor recruitment and donor retention strategies that take into account the determinants of donor return. Several studies that have assessed factors influencing donor return and donor lapse of first‐time donors or donors in general have shown that no past deferrals, no donation‐related adverse events and satisfaction with the last donation experience were associated with higher return rates overall . Many studies show a gender‐specific donor behaviour, with most data indicating a higher return rates for males , and one study reporting higher return rates for females .…”