Donor attitudes about exporting and importing blood.
BACKGROUND
The movement of blood among different areas of the United States and the collection of more blood than is needed locally in some areas are increasing. Little is known of donors' attitudes about this blood resource sharing.


METHODS
One thousand donors from five regions of the American Red Cross Blood Services were surveyed by telephone. Demographic information about the donors and the regions was obtained, and the donors were asked to describe their attitudes about blood resource sharing as well as other blood donation-related issues.


RESULTS
Donors are not very knowledgeable about whether their community is self-sufficient in its blood supply. In regions that import blood, 29 to 43 percent of donors believed that enough blood was collected to meet all local needs, and, in regions that export blood, only 22 to 24 percent of donors believed that more than enough blood was collected. About three-fourths of the donors believed it acceptable to send their blood to other communities if it is needed there. However, this attitude was based on the premise that all local needs would be met first. Only 4 percent of donors would be less willing to donate if their blood was being sent to another community.


CONCLUSIONS
Donors are not very aware of blood resource sharing but are willing, under certain circumstances, to donate blood for use outside their local communities.
Bowman
R J
RJ
American Red Cross Blood Service, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Clay
M E
ME
Therkelsen
D J
DJ
Maynard
B
B
Nass
C C
CC
Popovsky
M A
MA
Ryan
T J
TJ
Shafer
A W
AW
Riedesel
P
P
D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*