Adverse reactions, psychological factors, and their effect on donor retention in men and women.
BACKGROUND
This study investigates the effect of a vasovagal reaction (VVR) or needle reaction (NR) on the risk of stopping as a blood donor, taking into account variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Is stopping risk solely related to the adverse reaction itself, or do the TPB variables play a role as well? Emphasis is placed on possible sex differences.


METHODS
TPB variables were assessed within 12,051 whole blood donors. Also, donors reported the occurrence of adverse reactions during or after their last donation. Blood bank records were used to determine whether donors stopped donating within the next 2 years. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the effect of self-reported adverse reactions on stopping risk, adjusting for the TPB variables. Analyses were performed separately for both sexes.


RESULTS
Men have a lower odds of reporting a NR or a VVR than women (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.43; and OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.19-0.36, for NR and VVR, respectively). For both sexes, only a VVR was associated with stopping risk, which is higher in men (men, OR 3.95, 95% CI 2.19-7.11; women, OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.35-2.35). After adjusting for the TPB variables both ORs declined (men, OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.86-6.15; women, OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.17-2.14). Also, self-efficacy and affective attitude are negatively associated with adverse reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Female donors report more VVRs than male donors, but male donors have a higher stopping risk after a VVR than female donors. Coping differences and possible reporting tendencies might play a role. For donor retention purposes, prevention and coping techniques should take sex differences into account.
Department of Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. i.veldhuizen@sanquin.nl
Ingrid
I
Veldhuizen
Femke
F
Atsma
Anne
A
van Dongen
Wim
W
de Kort
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D018579:Patient Selection; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology