Donors in the COVID-19 era: How did donor characteristics change in Japan?

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q3 HEMATOLOGY

Vox Sanguinis Pub Date : 2025-02-03 DOI:10.1111/vox.13801

T Odajima, N H Tsuno, R Okubo, S Makino, T Miyagi, K Ikuta, K Muroi, S Kino

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to the blood service in Japan. Stay-at-home policies in schools, organizations and companies made it challenging to access potential blood donors, leading to a substantial decline in blood donation rates. This study aimed to examine the profile of blood donors during the pandemic and compare it with that in the pre-pandemic period.

Materials and methods: Blood donors who contributed to the Japanese Red Cross Blood Services between April 2018 and March 2021 were evaluated based on age, gender, occupation, donation site, height, body weight (BW) and donation status (first-time [FT] or repeat). Factors influencing the return of FT donors who contributed before and during the pandemic were also explored.

Results: During the initial phase of the pandemic, a significant decrease in blood donations was observed, particularly in Tokyo. Despite intermittent drops, the required blood volume was ultimately collected. Donations by both female and male repeat donors increased, although the number of male repeat donors decreased, with only female repeat donors experiencing an absolute increase. Before the pandemic, younger age, 200-mL donation, higher body mass index and fixed donation sites were significantly associated with FT donor returns. During the pandemic, higher age (for males) and 400-mL donation (for females) emerged as significant factors. With changes in donor profiles during the pandemic, there was a noticeable shift in the characteristics of FT donors who returned for a subsequent donation within the following year, particularly in terms of age and blood donation volume.

Conclusion: Despite the challenges, the required blood volume was successfully collected, thanks to increased donations from repeat blood donors. Recruiting and retaining committed donors is essential for maintaining sustainable blood services, especially during crisis situations.

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来源期刊

Vox Sanguinis 医学-血液学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

11.10%

发文量

156

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Vox Sanguinis reports on important, novel developments in transfusion medicine. Original papers, reviews and international fora are published on all aspects of blood transfusion and tissue transplantation, comprising five main sections: 1) Transfusion - Transmitted Disease and its Prevention: Identification and epidemiology of infectious agents transmissible by blood; Bacterial contamination of blood components; Donor recruitment and selection methods; Pathogen inactivation. 2) Blood Component Collection and Production: Blood collection methods and devices (including apheresis); Plasma fractionation techniques and plasma derivatives; Preparation of labile blood components; Inventory management; Hematopoietic progenitor cell collection and storage; Collection and storage of tissues; Quality management and good manufacturing practice; Automation and information technology. 3) Transfusion Medicine and New Therapies: Transfusion thresholds and audits; Haemovigilance; Clinical trials regarding appropriate haemotherapy; Non-infectious adverse affects of transfusion; Therapeutic apheresis; Support of transplant patients; Gene therapy and immunotherapy. 4) Immunohaematology and Immunogenetics: Autoimmunity in haematology; Alloimmunity of blood; Pre-transfusion testing; Immunodiagnostics; Immunobiology; Complement in immunohaematology; Blood typing reagents; Genetic markers of blood cells and serum proteins: polymorphisms and function; Genetic markers and disease; Parentage testing and forensic immunohaematology. 5) Cellular Therapy: Cell-based therapies; Stem cell sources; Stem cell processing and storage; Stem cell products; Stem cell plasticity; Regenerative medicine with cells; Cellular immunotherapy; Molecular therapy; Gene therapy.