title: Exploring opinions and beliefs about cord blood donation among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite higher birth rates among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, the availability of umbilical cord blood from these groups is lower due to lower donation rates than that of non-Hispanic whites. Similar racial and ethnic disparities in donation rates have been found for blood and organ donation. This study is among the first to explore beliefs and attitudes toward umbilical cord blood donation among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five focus groups composed of Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women were conducted to explore how women conceptualize information needs about umbilical cord blood donation and from whom women want to receive information about donation. Participants were adult women who had given birth within the past year or were pregnant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lack of basic information regarding umbilical cord blood, its harvesting and use, and the steps and conditions necessary to donate were primary barriers to donation. Women expressed confusion over the differences between "donation" and "banking." The social value of donation was explicitly weighed in terms of the cost of the donation effort. Doctors were viewed as critical sources for information about donation, although women expressed skepticism about doctors' ability to convey sufficient information during short office visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efforts to increase donation rates among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women should include information about both the technical aspects and the social value of donation. The specific terms "umbilical" and "donation" should be used consistently to prevent misunderstanding. Information should be provided by physicians with follow-up by other health providers.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy, HealthConnect One, and Mercy Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA. drucin@uic.edu
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rucinski
authors.forename: Risé
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Lawon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tidwell
authors.forename: RoiAnn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delves
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People; D001782:Blood Donors; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research