title: Factors influencing blood donation: a cross-sectional survey in Guangzhou, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to determine major factors that influence blood donation in China.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Factors affecting blood donation often vary in various populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study used self-administered, standardised, structured questionnaires to survey selected donors and non-donors in Guangzhou, China between 10 December 2013 and 25 June 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 1080 questionnaires collected, 1034 (95·7%) questionnaires were valid for this analysis, including 602 donors and 432 non-donors. Results revealed that helping patients (n = 405, 68·2%) was the main objective of blood donation, and self-perception of poor health (n = 138, 33·1%) was the main reason for not donating. Responses to questions raised by donors and inquiring about a donor's physical condition were thought to be the most important blood donation routines (n = 302, 65·5%). For non-donors, 90·3% (n = 390) expressed their intention to donate blood in the future, and usage of blood (n = 182, 46·7%) was the most asked question. Prepaid cellular phone cards were the most popular incentives. Raising the awareness of blood donation was the most effective way of enhancing blood donation programmes, and television ads and the internet were the most effective means.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Helping patients was the main objective of blood donation in China. However, self-perception of poor health was a major barrier to donating blood. Raising the awareness of blood donation in combination with multiple aspects of campaigns that target different populations with potential blood donors is critical. Television and the internet are the most effective tools for promotion of and recruitment for blood donation.
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangdong, China.|The Key Medical Disciplines and Specialties Program of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6746-8906
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ou-Yang
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangdong, China.|The Key Medical Disciplines and Specialties Program of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bei
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangdong, China.|The Key Medical Disciplines and Specialties Program of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangdong, China.|The Key Medical Disciplines and Specialties Program of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: altruism; blood donation; donors; non-donors; questionnaire