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First year donation patterns predict long‐term commitment for first‐time donors
Author(s) -
Schreiber G. B.,
Sharma U. K.,
Wright D. J.,
Glynn S. A.,
Ownby H. E.,
Tu Y.,
Garratty G.,
Piliavin J.,
Zuck T.,
Gilcher R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2005.00593.x
Subject(s) - donation , medicine , blood donor , demographics , logistic regression , blood donations , demography , surgery , family medicine , immunology , sociology , economics , economic growth
Background and Objectives Converting first‐time donors to become regular donors continues to be a challenge facing blood centres. We examined whether first‐time donors with frequent return in the first 12 months were more likely to become regular donors. Subjects and Methods The donation histories of 179 409 community whole‐blood donors, whose first‐time donation in 1991 was negative on donor screening tests, were evaluated. Donors were categorized by the number of donations made in the 12 months after (and including) their first donation. The donor return pattern in the subsequent 6 years, and its association with first‐year donation frequency and demographics, was evaluated by using logistic regression analysis. A ‘regular donor’ was defined as one who returned to donate in at least 4 of the 6 years of follow‐up. Results First‐year donation frequency was significantly correlated with long‐term donor return ( P < 0·0001). Among those giving 1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥ 5 donations in the first year, 4%, 11%, 21%, 32% and 42%, respectively, became regular donors ( P < 0·0001). Similar associations between donation pattern and donor return behaviour were observed after adjusting for demographic variables ( P < 0·0001). Conclusions Strategies aimed at encouraging current donors to donate more frequently during the first year may help to establish a regular donation behaviour.