A study to assess the attitude of blood donors toward the role of different incentives in donor motivation

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of various incentives for promoting blood donation but data from India in scarce. We aimed to assess the effect of nonmonetary incentives on the motivation for donations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, the blood donors were interviewed regarding their attitude toward different types of nonmonetary incentives and blood donation facilities for motivating them for blood donations through a validated data collection questionnaire form. RESULTS: Among 1000 donors participating in the study, 971 (97.1%) were males and 29 (2.9%) were females. Nearly all (98.8%–99.5%) cited free of cost medical tests to be the most effective incentive for motivating for blood donation followed by distribution of small gifts (93%–99.5%), education credits (65%–84%), and credits in school admission (65%–75%). The donors felt that the most preferred way of contact (83%–97% of donors) were reminder services such as phone call. When comparing any differences in incentives for donation between voluntary/replacement and between first time/Repeat donors, no significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the study, targeted strategies can be initiated which are feasible as per the socioeconomic and educational status of the local population.