title: Reasons for noncompliance in donor risk reporting regarding male-to-male sex.
abstract: In the Netherlands men who have had sex with men were permanently excluded from donating blood or blood products. This study aimed to determine the rate of not disclosing male-to-male sex (noncompliance) among Dutch donors and reasons for noncompliance.
  
  
  
  Invitations to participate in an anonymous online survey were sent out to a sample of the Dutch donor population (50,000 male and 5000 female donors). Male donors were asked if they ever had sex with a man. Second, a definition of male-to-male sex was given, followed by the same question. Donors who reported to have had male-to-male sex on the second question were defined as noncompliant and were asked what reasons they had for not reporting. We asked all donors questions regarding the Dutch donor policy.
  
  
  
  A total of 18,137 male donors responded to the questionnaire. Of male donors, 1.4% reported to have had sex with a man, and 0.7% reported to have donated after their first male-to-male sex. Discrepancies were found in male donors' interpretation of male-to-male sex. The most frequently reported reasons for noncompliance had to do with the timing and/or frequency of male-to-male sex, perceived privacy, perceived risk status, and knowledge about the policy. Compliers, noncompliers, and female donors had different opinions on a number of policy issues.
  
  
  
  The percentage found for noncompliance is similar to percentages in other compliance studies worldwide. Based on reported reasons, a substantial amount of noncompliers would become eligible for donating under a revised policy, possibly without jeopardizing blood safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Romeijn
authors.affiliation: Department of Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Dongen
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerjo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kok
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult