title: Long-term return behavior of Chinese whole blood donors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is important to understand donor return behavior to maintain sufficient numbers of blood donors in developing countries where blood supplies are often inadequate.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 54,267 whole blood (WB) donors who donated between January 1 and March 31, 2008, at the five blood centers in China were followed for 2.5 years. Logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with their return behavior. A recurrent-event Cox proportional-hazard model was used to evaluate the overall effect of demographic variables and return behavior among first-time donors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Donors with previous donation history were more likely to return and the number of previous returns was positively associated with future return (odds ratios, 3.31, 4.82, and 8.16 for one, two to three, and more than three times compared to none). Thirty-four percent of donors (first-time donor, 21%; repeat donor, 54%) made at least one return donation, with 14% returning in the first 9 months. The multivariable logistic regression model for all WB donors and the Cox proportional hazard model for first-time donors showed consistent predictors for return: female sex, older age (≥ 25 years), larger volume (300 or 400 mL), and donating in satellite collection site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Encouraging first-time donors to make multiple donations is important for keeping adequate blood supply. The finding that first-time and repeat donors shared the same predictors for return indicates that retention strategies on repeat donors may be effective on first-time donors. Studies on motivators and barriers to return are needed, so that successful retention strategies can be tailored.
authors: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland; Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, P.R. China; Westat, Rockville, Maryland; Yunnan Kunming Blood Center, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. China; Urumqi Blood Center, Urumqi, Xinjiang, P.R. China; Guangxi Blood Center, Liuzhou, Guangxi, P.R. China; Luoyang Blood Center, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China; Mianyang Blood Center, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China.
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Guo
authors: Jingxing
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Qilu
authors: Q
authors: Yu
authors: Tonghan
authors: T
authors: Yang
authors: Xiangdong
authors: X
authors: Dong
authors: Guoxin
authors: G
authors: Wen
authors: Mei-hei-li
authors: MH
authors: Tiemuer
authors: Julin
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Weilan
authors: W
authors: He
authors: Yunlai
authors: Y
authors: Lv
authors: Hongli
authors: H
authors: Ma
authors: Xiuqiong
authors: X
authors: Wen
authors: Mei
authors: M
authors: Huang
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Ness
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Wright
authors: Kenrad
authors: K
authors: Nelson
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Shan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models