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The role of social media for blood donor motivation and recruitment
Author(s) -
Sümnig Ariane,
Feig Martin,
Greinacher Andreas,
Thiele Thomas
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.14823
Subject(s) - social media , blood donor , donation , psychology , medicine , perspective (graphical) , german , social psychology , political science , immunology , archaeology , history , artificial intelligence , computer science , law
BACKGROUND Social media platforms have become an important lifestyle aspect. Therefore, we implemented communication via social media platforms to recruit new donors and to motivate repeat donors. Here, we report a survey among donors of our blood donation facility to evaluate the impact of different strategies for donor motivation from the donors’ perspective. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS During 8 consecutive weeks, all whole blood donors were asked to participate. The survey consisted of a questionnaire including the demographic items sex, age, number of prior donations, and 14 potential motivators for blood donation. Social media included the items “ Facebook ” and “ Jodel” (German local mobile application). RESULTS Of 3320 consecutive donors, 2920 (88%) participated in the survey. Social media motivated 7.4% of our donors, among them mainly young and female donors. For first‐time donors (FTDs; n = 157) the three strongest motivational factors were friends and/or relatives (73%), social media (15%), and “I do not need additional motivation” (11%). Repeat donors (n = 2693) most often stated that they do not need additional motivation (72%) and only 7% were motivated by social media. CONCLUSION Social media have become the second most important motivator to recruit FTDs beside relatives and friends who are by far the main motivators for FTDs. For repeat donors, social media play a less important role. Social media are becoming increasingly important for transfusion services.