Willingness of blood donors in Australia to provide additional data and blood sample for health research
Type
ArticleAuthor/s
Karki, SurendraGemelli, Carley N
Davison, Tanya E
Masser, Barbara M
Marks, Denese C
Bell, Katy J.L.
Liu, Bette
Hayen, Andrew
van den Hurk, Katja
Irving, David O
Abstract
Background:Many blood collection agencies are generating important data on donor health outcomes using large-scale blood donor cohort studies. Such studies can be very effective when donors provide access to linkage of their data to external health databases, and storage and genomic ...
See moreBackground:Many blood collection agencies are generating important data on donor health outcomes using large-scale blood donor cohort studies. Such studies can be very effective when donors provide access to linkage of their data to external health databases, and storage and genomic testing of their blood sample. In this study, we aimed to assess the willingness of Australian blood donors to provide additional data and blood sample for donation-related and other health research. Study design and methods: We invited 2017 donors to complete a survey using four methods (postal letter, postal letter and email, email only, and-center recruitment). The survey asked for information on demographics,lifestyle behaviors, health, experience and attitude to blood donation, and willingness to give blood sample and additional data for research.Results:Response rates ranged from 23.8% for email only to 77.2% for in-center recruitment. Of those who responded (n=827), 95.5% indicated they would be willing to provide a blood sample for donation and transfusion-related research.Of these, >90.0% were willing for their sample to be used in research involving genetic testing and other health-related topics. Also, >90.0% were willing to consent for linkage of their information to external health databases. Conclusions:Donors surveyed reported a high willingness to participate inhealth research by completing surveys, allowing linkage to external datasets, and providing a blood sample. These findings provide strong support for future longitudinal research studies with Australian blood donors.
See less
See moreBackground:Many blood collection agencies are generating important data on donor health outcomes using large-scale blood donor cohort studies. Such studies can be very effective when donors provide access to linkage of their data to external health databases, and storage and genomic testing of their blood sample. In this study, we aimed to assess the willingness of Australian blood donors to provide additional data and blood sample for donation-related and other health research. Study design and methods: We invited 2017 donors to complete a survey using four methods (postal letter, postal letter and email, email only, and-center recruitment). The survey asked for information on demographics,lifestyle behaviors, health, experience and attitude to blood donation, and willingness to give blood sample and additional data for research.Results:Response rates ranged from 23.8% for email only to 77.2% for in-center recruitment. Of those who responded (n=827), 95.5% indicated they would be willing to provide a blood sample for donation and transfusion-related research.Of these, >90.0% were willing for their sample to be used in research involving genetic testing and other health-related topics. Also, >90.0% were willing to consent for linkage of their information to external health databases. Conclusions:Donors surveyed reported a high willingness to participate inhealth research by completing surveys, allowing linkage to external datasets, and providing a blood sample. These findings provide strong support for future longitudinal research studies with Australian blood donors.
See less
Date
2021Source title
TransfusionVolume
61Issue
10Publisher
WileyLicence
Copyright All Rights ReservedFaculty/School
Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public HealthShare