Fear of donation‐related stimuli is reported across different levels of donation experience

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to characterize the extent of donation-related fears among donors with different levels of donation experience. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A sample of 1054 recent donors (48.3% female; mean ± SD age 33.1 ± 9.8 years) completed an anonymous, online survey of their fear of donation-related stimuli, including blood, needles, pain, and fainting. Respondents also provided information regarding demographics, pain, and vasovagal symptoms associated with their recent donation and confidence and intention with respect to a future donation. RESULTS: The sample was divided into four donation history subgroups, including one, two or three, four or five, or six or more prior donations. A significant negative relationship was observed between donation history and each of the assessed fears, indicating less fear with more experience. However, at least one-third of even the most experienced donors reported some fear for each of the stimuli. Further, greater fear was associated with more pain (r = 0.35-0.56, all p < 0.001) and more intense vasovagal symptom reports (r = 0.41-0.61, all p < 0.001). Finally, greater fear was associated with less donor confidence (r = -0.24 to -0.33, all p < 0.001) and lower intentions of donating again (r = -0.14 to -0.20, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data provide novel evidence that fear persists for many donors, despite increasing experience, and suggest that a greater appreciation of individual differences in fear is needed to address these concerns and promote long-term donor motivation.