Racial differences in motivators and barriers to blood donation among blood donors

Nationally, African Americans are underrepresented in community blood donation programs. To increase blood donation by African Americans, differences between motivators and barriers to blood donation between races should be investigated.

To investigate motivators and barriers to blood donation in African American and white blood donors.

An 18-item, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire regarding demographics and motivators and barriers to donation was completed by blood donors at a predominately African American and a predominately white fixed donation site.

A total of 599 participants (20% African American, 75% white, and 5% other) completed the survey. The most commonly reported reasons to donate included: "because it is the right thing to do" (45% African Americans and 62% white) and "because I want to help save a life" (63% African Americans and 47% white). Unpleasant experiences did not differ as a barrier to continue donation between African Americans and whites. African Americans placed more importance on donating blood to someone with sickle cell disease, convenience of blood donation, treatment of donor center staff, and level of privacy during the screening process.

These data suggest that in a large metropolitan area, reasons for donation among African American and white donors differ. To retain and increase donation frequency of African American donors, these factors should be considered in creating an African American donor recruitment and retention program.