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Motivating blood donors to recruit new donors: experimental evaluation of an evidence-based behavior change
Karin P H Lemmens1, Robert A C Ruiter, Charles Abraham
1Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Insights
Existing blood donors can effectively recruit new donors using motivational materials. An evidence-based leaflet and postcards increased recruitment efforts and success rates, helping to sustain the blood donor population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior Interventions
Background:
- The blood donor population requires continuous replenishment to meet healthcare demands.
- Motivating existing donors to recruit new members is a sustainable strategy for maintaining blood supply.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an evidence-based intervention aimed at motivating current blood donors to recruit new donors.
- To assess the effectiveness of recruitment materials in enhancing donor acquisition.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental, in-service trial was conducted at three donation centers.
- 734 blood donors were assigned to three groups: leaflet and postcards, postcards only, or no materials.
- Self-reported recruitment activities and success were measured at 1-week and 6-week follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Both intervention groups showed increased communication about blood donation and requests for others to donate compared to the control group.
- Intervention participants successfully persuaded more individuals to register as blood donors.
- The combination of postcards and a leaflet was more effective than postcards alone in driving recruitment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Interventions that motivate and facilitate recruitment by existing donors can effectively replenish the blood donor pool.
- This strategy offers a sustainable approach to ensuring a consistent blood supply for healthcare needs.
Objective:
A sustainable, evidence-based intervention to motivate current blood donors to recruit new donors was evaluated using a quasi-experimental, in-service trial at three donation centers.
Design:
Participating blood donors in three conditions (N = 734), received (1) an evidence-based leaflet designed to enhance recruitment motivation and five postcards facilitating recruitment and donor registration, (2) five postcards alone, or (3) no materials.
Main Outcome Measures:
Self-reported donor recruitment by donors was measured at 1-week and 6-week follow-up.
Results:
At 1-week and at 6-week follow-up, donors in both intervention conditions reported talking to more people about donation and asking more people to donate than control participants. Intervention participants also reported persuading more people to register as a donor than control participants. Results indicated that postcards plus leaflet was somewhat more effective than the postcards alone. Donors' intentions to recruit at 1-week follow-up mediated the behavioral effects at 6-week follow-up.
Conclusion:
Motivating and facilitating recruitment of new blood donors through existing donors has the potential to continually replenish the donor population.
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