A survey of anonymous oocyte donors: demographics

This is a questionnaire based study of 501 women enquiring about anonymous oocyte donation at a private in-vitro fertilization (IVF) unit, investigati ng the demographic characteristics and logistic issues involved in ovum don ation. The 501 women mere made up of 356 women who did not donate ('non-don ors') and 145 women who eventually donated their oocytes ('donors'), Althou gh there was a majority of housewives among the enquirers, women in full-ti me employment were the majority of actual donors. Logistic factors such as the travel and time commitment involved were major reasons for non-donation as well as concerns about complications. There was a paucity of ethnic don ors. Recruitment strategies must focus on retaining potential donors and en suring a higher proportion become actual donors. These strategies must addr ess the logistic difficulties associated with non-donation including transp ort problems and social commitments by assisting with childcare provision a nd travel. Improving donor education and the access to more personal and no n-threatening information mere other areas that needed attention which were highlighted in the survey.