A Web-based approach to blood donor preparation.

Area of Science:

• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Previous donor education methods, including written and video formats, have improved blood donation attitudes and intentions.
• Effective interventions often provide coping strategies for donation-related concerns.
• This study investigated Web-based donor preparation for both current and potential blood donors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of a tailored Web-based donor preparation program against standard and control websites.
• To assess the impact on donation attitudes, anxiety, confidence, intention, anticipated regret, and moral norm.
• To evaluate these effects separately for blood donors and nondonors.

Main Methods:

• Young adults were randomized into three groups: a study website with coping strategies, a standard blood center website, or a control website with chosen videos.
• The study included 62% female participants with a mean age of 19.3 years.
• Pre- and post-intervention measures assessed donation attitude, anxiety, confidence, intention, anticipated regret, and moral norm.

Main Results:

• The study website significantly improved donation attitude, confidence, intention, and anticipated regret among nondonors compared to control and standard websites.
• For donors, the study website enhanced donation confidence and anticipated regret more than other groups.
• Differences in donation attitude, anxiety, intention, and moral norm were significant between the study website and the control website for donors.

Conclusions:

• Web-based donor preparation is a potentially cost-effective strategy to increase blood donation intentions.
• Tailored online interventions can positively influence attitudes and behaviors related to blood donation.
• These findings support the development of digital tools for blood donor recruitment and retention.