title: Lost in translation: Knowledge, attitudes and practices in donors experiencing a vasovagal reaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vasovagal symptoms have implications for donor safety and retention. This study explored knowledge, attitudes and practices in donors experiencing a vasovagal reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with donors (n = 30) who experienced a donation-related vasovagal reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Donors were unaware of applied muscle tension or fluid loading techniques despite availability of information. Some donors engaged in excessive pre-donation hydration. Procedural knowledge was limited for first-time plasma donors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future interventions should focus on adherence to pre-donation fluid loading and muscle tensing exercises during key donation time-points. Education for new plasma donors also appears important.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: athijsen@redcrossblood.org.au.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thijsen
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal
keywords: Applied muscle tension; Blood donation; Knowledge; Qualitative; Vasovagal