Need For Motivation of Plateletpheresis Donors: Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Blood donor motivation is an integral part of blood transfusion service. The National and State Blood Transfusion Councils, with support from various non-government organizations carry out extensive work for donor motivation and retention. However, these kind of motivational activities in the community are mostly directed toward whole blood donation. In this era of component therapy, apheresis plays a vital role in planning of transfusion therapy for patients especially those suffering from malignancy. The major indication for utilization of SDP’s are during haematopoietic stem cell transplants, chemotherapy related thrombocytopenia and during exigent periods like dengue. With limited access and spread of knowledge regarding utilization of SDP’s Compared with general utilisation and wastage of RDP’s across India, the responsibility lay on us to motivate, recruit and spread awareness among donors for plateletpheresis. Also, collection of SDP’s is a demand driven initiative, thereby reducing the indirect costs associated with wastage of RDP’s. Aims: This study is done to assess the current status of the knowledge regarding Plateletpheresis procedure among prospective donors, so as to identify and recruit potential voluntary plateletpheresis donors. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in our outdoor blood donation camps organised by the Department of IHBT, SSG Hospital between the time period July 2016 and November 2016. In this study, a Donor Questionnaire pertaining to Plateletpheresis donations would be given. The donor will be provided information regarding plateletpheresis by the Investigator and questions answered accordingly. Results: During our study period, a total of 53 camps were conducted with turnover of around 1978 voluntary blood unit collections. 140 prospective voluntary blood donors were selected randomly among 1978 donors. Among 140 donors, 27.1% of donors (38/140) were willing to donate platelets through Plateletpheresis procedure (SDP’s). Among the 38 donors, 15.8% of donors (6/38) had a previous experience of Plateletpheresis donations and 84.2% (32/38) had no previous experience, but were willing to donate SDP’s. The remaining 72.8% of donors (102/140) were not willing to donate platelets through apheresis technique. The major reasons for their non-consent was contributed by the following factors namely viz., 59.8% due to increased procedural time (61/102 donors); 45.1% due to donor’s apprehension of their own platelet count being drastically reduced (46/102 donors); 30.4% due to risk of infections and altered blood components returning back into circulation (31/102 donors). Conclusion: The study concludes that the need for plateletpheresis donors can be better met with specific plateletpheresis donor information, education, motivation, recruitment strategies & constant appraisal, focussing on strengthening and creating more awareness campaigns among prospective donors in co-ordination with blood camp organisers. [Chirag C NJIRM 2017; 8(2):140-142]