Understanding donor behaviour following a deferral for low haemoglobin: A cross-sectional survey study

While deferral due to low haemoglobin (Hb) is known to affect donor return, how donors react to and manage low Hb is less well understood. This paper aims to (1) describe donor activities to manage low Hb, and (2) examine donor knowledge, recalled emotions, satisfaction and potential concerns, and to determine their association with doctor visit and actual donor return.

An online survey was completed by 360 donors (mean age = 51.0 ± 16.7 years; 78.1% female) on average 13 days after a low Hb deferral (females <115 g/L; males <125 g/L). Comparative analyses (gender, age, Hb level and donation experience) and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Most donors reported visiting (51%) or making an appointment to see (17%) a doctor. Donors reported a moderate understanding of their Hb result and recalled feeling Disappointed and Valued rather much at the time of deferral. Donors reported high intentions to return to donate, with little self-reported effect of the low Hb result. Significant determinants for a doctor visit were feeling Grateful (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.54), Worried (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.71) and Disappointed (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64-0.96). Significant determinants of return within 12 months were feeling Sadness (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01-1.41), Valued (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.94) and donation intentions (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.57).

To improve donor retention or doctor follow-up, targeting emotional responses may help, but further research is needed to understand what other factors affect donor return following a low Hb result.