title: Analysis of Chinese donors' return behavior.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is important to understand donor return behavior. Converting first-time donors to become repeat donors is essential for maintaining an adequate blood supply.
  
  
  METHODS
  Characteristics of 241,552 whole blood (WB) donations from first-time and repeat donors who donated in 2008 at the five blood centers in China were compared. A subset of 54,394 WB donors who donated between January 1 and March 31, 2008, were analyzed for their return behavior in 2008 after the index donation using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all donations, 64% were from first-time donors. Donors with self-reported previous donations tended to be male, older, and married; donated larger volume (≥ 300 mL); and were heavier in weight. Among donors who donated from January to March 2008, 14% returned for subsequent WB donations by the end of 2008. The number of previous donations and blood collection location were the two strongest predictors for making subsequent donations. Donors with one, two to three, and more than three previous donations were 3.7, 5.7, and 11.0 times more likely to return than first-time donors. Those who donated in a blood collection vehicle were four times more likely to return than those who donated at a blood center. Being female, younger, and of a lower education level (middle school or less) were positively associated with subsequent return blood donation during the follow-up period observed in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the Chinese blood supply is from first-time donors. Strategies aimed at encouraging current donors to become repeat donors are needed.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jingxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.forename: Fuzhu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Xiangdong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xinhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Heili
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Julin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Weilan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Yunlai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiuqiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: High
authors.forename: Kenrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States