title: "I intend to donate but ...": non-donors' views of blood donation in the UK.
abstract: Although only 6% of the eligible United Kingdom population regularly donate blood, reasons for low donation rates remain poorly understood. In a grounded theory investigation, blood donors (n = 23) and non-donors (n = 27) completed a questionnaire that included 15 open-ended items. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sub-samples of donors (n = 5) and non-donors (n = 7). Analysis of open-ended responses and interview transcripts identified five themes. Three themes, namely pro-social views, helping behaviour and awareness had similar relevance for donors and non-donors. Two themes, anxiety and practical difficulties, were used by non-donors to account for non-donation despite intentions to donate. Although non-donors' anxieties may be difficult to overcome, perceived practical difficulties provide scope for intervention. The removal of perceived barriers to donation offers one way of increasing donation rates.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, Media & Communication, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, UK. cmcvittie@qmuc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McVittie
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tiliopoulos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom