title: A survey of anonymous oocyte donors: demographics.
abstract: This is a questionnaire based study of 501 women enquiring about anonymous oocyte donation at a private in-vitro fertilization (IVF) unit, investigating the demographic characteristics and logistic issues involved in ovum donation. The 501 women were made up of 356 women who did not donate ('non-donors') and 145 women who eventually donated their oocytes ('donors'). Although there was a majority of housewives among the enquirers, women in full-time 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 donors. Recruitment strategies must focus on retaining potential donors and ensuring a higher proportion become actual donors. These strategies must address the logistic difficulties associated with non-donation including transport problems and social commitments by assisting with childcare provision and travel. Improving donor education and the access to more personal and non-threatening information were other areas that needed attention which were highlighted in the survey.
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Endocrinology Centre, In vitro Fertilisation Unit, Lister Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Ogunyemi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Korea
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Latarche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom