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Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators.

Publication ,  Journal Article
France, CR; France, JL; Himawan, LK; Duffy, L; Kessler, DA; Rebosa, M; Rehmani, S; Frye, V; Shaz, BH
Published in: Transfusion
December 2021

BACKGROUND: Elevated fear and anxiety regarding donation-related stimuli (e.g., needles, pain, blood, fainting) has been associated with reduced blood donor recruitment and retention. The present longitudinal study tests the notion that this inverse relationship may be accounted for by lower donation confidence and more negative donation attitudes among fearful first-time donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a sample of 1479 first-time whole blood donors [67.9% female; mean age = 19.3 (standard deviation (SD) = 2.5) years], path analyses were conducted to examine relationships among donor ratings of fear of blood draw and donation anxiety obtained approximately 1 week after donation, donation confidence and attitudes assessed approximately 6 weeks later, and donation attempts over the 14 months following the original donation. RESULTS: Path analyses indicated that both fear of blood draws and donation anxiety were associated with fewer attempted donations, and that these effects were indirectly mediated by a combination of lower donor confidence and more negative donation attitudes. CONCLUSION: Because retention of new blood donors is essential to maintain a healthy blood supply, the results of the present study suggest that first-time donors should be assessed for fear and anxiety so that appropriate strategies can be provided to address their concerns, bolster their confidence and attitudes, and ultimately promote their long-term retention.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Transfusion

DOI

EISSN

1537-2995

Publication Date

December 2021

Volume

61

Issue

12

Start / End Page

3372 / 3380

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Phobic Disorders
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Fear
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Blood Donors
  • Attitude
 

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France, C. R., France, J. L., Himawan, L. K., Duffy, L., Kessler, D. A., Rebosa, M., … Shaz, B. H. (2021). Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators. Transfusion, 61(12), 3372–3380. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.16671
France, Christopher R., Janis L. France, Lina K. Himawan, Louisa Duffy, Debra A. Kessler, Mark Rebosa, Shiraz Rehmani, Victoria Frye, and Beth H. Shaz. “Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators.Transfusion 61, no. 12 (December 2021): 3372–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.16671.
France CR, France JL, Himawan LK, Duffy L, Kessler DA, Rebosa M, et al. Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators. Transfusion. 2021 Dec;61(12):3372–80.
France, Christopher R., et al. “Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators.Transfusion, vol. 61, no. 12, Dec. 2021, pp. 3372–80. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/trf.16671.
France CR, France JL, Himawan LK, Duffy L, Kessler DA, Rebosa M, Rehmani S, Frye V, Shaz BH. Fear is associated with attrition of first-time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators. Transfusion. 2021 Dec;61(12):3372–3380.
Journal cover image

Published In

Transfusion

DOI

EISSN

1537-2995

Publication Date

December 2021

Volume

61

Issue

12

Start / End Page

3372 / 3380

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Phobic Disorders
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Fear
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Blood Donors
  • Attitude