Investigation on population characteristics of voluntary blood donors in Chengdu from 2012 to 2018

Abstract

Objective To explore the population characteristics of voluntary blood donors in Chengdu from 2012 to 2018, and provide reference basis for establishing scientific and reasonable donor recruitment measures to ensure adequate blood supply. Methods From 2012 to 2018, a total of 1 310 305 voluntary blood donors in Chengdu Blood Center were selected as subjects. Among them, there were 680 439 male and 629 866 female donors. The population characteristics information of all blood donors were collected from the Qiao Information Management System of Blood Station V9.0, and the Informed Consent and Health Questionnaire for Blood Donors. The population characteristics of the voluntary blood donors included gender, age, educational level and occupation. The growth rates of the blood donors in each year and the composition ratios of the blood donors with different population characteristics were calculated. The composition ratios of the blood donors with different population characteristics in each year were compared by Chi-square test, and the trend of the composition ratios of the blood donors from 2012 to 2018 was analyzed by trend Chi-square test. The procedure followed in this study was in line with the requirements of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association revised in 2013. All blood donors signed the Informed Consent of Blood Donors. Results ① From 2012 to 2018, there were 1 310 305 voluntary blood donors in Chengdu. The number of the voluntary blood donors from 2012 to 2018 were 156 095, 164 003, 174 990, 186 215, 197 825, 211 131 and 220 046 cases respectively, which showed an increasing trend year by year, with an annual average growth rate of 6.83%. The year-to-year growth rates of the voluntary blood donors in Chengdu from 2012 to 2018 were 5.07%, 6.70%, 6.41%, 6.23%, 6.73% and 4.22%, respectively. The year-to-year growth rate increased rapidly from 2014 to 2017 and slowed down from 2017 to 2018. ② Among the 1 310 305 voluntary blood donors in Chengdu from 2012 to 2018, the differences of composition ratios among blood donors with the different genders, ages, occupations and educational levels were statistically significant (χ2= 68.625, 26 695.385, 132.679, 30 324.809; P<0.001), respectively. Among the blood donors of different ages, the composition ratios of blood donors in the 18 to 25 age group showed a downward trend, but that of 46 to 60 age group were upward trend (χtrend2=18 577.754, P<0.001). Among blood donors of different occupations, the composition ratios in farmers donors showed an upward trend (χtrend2= 3 885.708, P<0.001). Conclusions From 2012 to 2018, the number of the voluntary blood donors in Chengdu increased gradually. The distributions of the voluntary blood donors in different genders, ages, educational levels and occupations have their own characteristics. Different recruitment strategies should be performed according to the different groups. Key words: Population characteristics; Voluntary blood donation; Recruitment for blood donation; Chengdu City