How do people become plasma and platelet donors in a VNR context?

BACKGROUND: The 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 METHOD: This 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. RESULTS: Six 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. CONCLUSION: Our 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.

Why Do Blood Donors Lapse or Reduce Their Donation's Frequency?

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.

Motivational Differences between Whole Blood and Apheresis Donors in Quebec, Canada: A Questionnaire-Based Survey in a Voluntary Nonremunerated Context.

Background. Finding ways to recruit apheresis donors is crucial. The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative analysis of the motivations of regular plasma/platelets donors (PPDs) in comparison with those of regular whole blood donors (WBDs), in a voluntary and nonremunerated context. Study Design and Methods. Motives to donate blood and demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires completed by 795 WBDs and 473 PPDs. Chi-square tests were completed to determine which motivations stand out across the two blood donor groups. Results. The motivator selected by the highest percentage was "my blood can save lives." Comparison of WBDs and PPDs showed that 12 out of 23 items were statistically significantly different from one group to another. Conclusion. The belief that helping others is in their nature is more prevalent among PPDs. In this sense, their profile is unique. Four other motivators distinguish this group from the WBDs: "I think there is a strong need for blood products," "it gives me a sense of pride," "I like to have goals," and "I receive telephone reminders." These motivators point to the role the ongoing support provided by blood collection agencies (BCAs) plays with PPDs.

Whole blood and apheresis donors in Quebec, Canada: Demographic differences and motivations to donate.

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 symbolic roots of blood donation.

BACKGROUND: Throughout history, blood has been embedded with powerful and paradoxical connotations. In the last decades, a more rational conception based on scientific knowledge has emerged, portraying blood as a "disenchanted" and utilitarian object, hence more apt for donation between strangers. This study aims to examine blood's representations in Quebec, Canada. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected in four separate studies carried out between 2009 and 2011 in Quebec. A total of 234 1 to 1½ hour-long semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with: 184 donors (including lapsed donors) and 50 nondonors; 106 women and 128 men from a variety of age groups eligible to donate; 76 minority informants from Asian, Middle-Eastern, Latin American, African, and Caribbean origins; and 158 informants from the majority society. RESULTS: Many respondents donated blood because it was a "useful" substance. Others associated blood donation with a gift of vitality, strength, and energy. Some stressed the irreplaceable nature of blood, its rarity, and preciousness. It can also be associated with worrisome representations and seen as "bad" or carry infections: as a fluid, it has the ability to cross troublesome body boundaries. CONCLUSION: 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.

Blood donation practices, motivations and beliefs in Montreal's Black communities: the modern gift under a new light.

OBJECTIVES: Through the conceptual lens of the archaic and modern gift, this study aims to examine perceived limitations and facilitators to increasing blood donations within Black communities in Montreal, Canada. The overall objective is to support blood agencies, such as Héma-Québec, in understanding the challenges and opportunities they face in promoting blood donation among Black communities in pluralistic societies. DESIGN: Thirty-three semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with donors and leaders of ethnocultural groups in Montreal: of these, 6 were Héma-Québec employees; 3 were Caribbean blood drive organizers; 14 were leaders of African, Caribbean or Black multiethnic churches and community groups; and finally, 10 were donors, including 2 African, 4 French-speaking Haitian and 4 English-speaking Caribbean. RESULTS: The existence of multiple Black communities in Montreal reflects the various facilitators and obstacles facing Héma-Québec. Caribbean and African communities have their own experiences with regard to blood donation as well as different relationships with the broader Quebec society, both of which have great impact on how they perceive the cause. Questions of trust, of giving to the family and to the community, as well as perceived social exclusion appear to be fundamental issues for our informants. The current participation of groups interested in bettering the lives of those affected by sickle cell anaemia combined with the fact that leaders felt more comfortable donating to someone close to the community suggests that the promotion of blood donation through this angle would be well received. CONCLUSION: 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.

Regional variation in the modeling of donation frequency: the case of Héma-Québec, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Many studies on factors that can affect the frequency of blood donation have shown the influence of several individual characteristics. However, few studies have analyzed regional variations in blood donation frequency. The objective of this article is to verify to what extent individual and geographic variables influence blood donation in the Province of Québec, Canada. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This article used a database provided by Héma-Québec (the organization in charge of blood collection in Québec), which included 426,247 donors, who made 1.4 million donations over a period of 5 years. Using the donors' residential postal codes and those of the blood collection sites, we created two geographic variables: the distance between the donor's place of residence and his or her collection site and each donor's region of residence. We subsequently modeled the frequency of blood donation and the different donor categories (based on the number of blood donations) using both a negative binomial regression model and an ordinal logistic regression model. RESULTS: The results indicate that, once the individual characteristics have been taken into account, the geographic variables, including proximity to the collection site, have a significant impact on the frequency of blood donation. Likewise, according to the results of the negative binomial model, among the 17 regions in the Province of Québec, there are five regions where blood donation incidence rate ratios (IRRs) are very high, that is, Abitibi-Témiscamingue (IRR, 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-1.95); Bas-Saint-Laurent (IRR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.59-1.93); Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (IRR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.53-1.84); Centre-du-Québec (IRR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.51-1.83); and Chaudière-Appalaches (IRR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.48-1.78). CONCLUSION: 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.