ASSESSMENT OF MOTIVATIONS FOR RETURN DONATION AMONG DEFERRED BLOOD-DONORS

BACKGROUND: The recent addition of a computerized donor deferral regis try to American Red Cross blood donation procedures has enabled blood center staffs to identify, before donation, persons who attempt to don ate despite previous deferral, The current study investigated reasons that deferred donors return to donate, despite having been notified th at they are ineligible. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: Anonymous mail survey s requesting demographic information, details of last donation or atte mpted donation, and assessments of incentives for donating were sent t o 311 donors presenting inappropriately at blood drives and 849 matche d controls in three American Red Cross regions between April and July 1996. RESULTS: Responses were received from a total of 113 deferred do nors and 388 matched controls. Analysis of the 49 permanently deferred donors indicated that they were more likely than controls to donate b lood to receive test results or to be awarded community service credit . Responses also revealed that some deferred donors may return to dona te blood because of a misunderstanding of the deferral message or erro neous recruitment by blood center staff. CONCLUSION: There is a need b efore donation for the provision of educational materials regarding th e window period of infection and for careful consideration of the use of incentives to attract donors to blood centers. It is also important to provide to donors a clear and consistent message regarding their t est results and deferral status.