Experience and coping strategy based on the theory of planned behavior among young blood donors

Abstract

The recruitment of young people as first-time blood donors and their retention as Repeat Blood Donors (RBDs) could ensure a sustained supply of blood. Therefore, it is crucial to have a greater understanding on motivation factors, intention and continuous act of blood donation among young people. The aim of this study is to explore the experience and coping strategy among young blood donors based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. This study applied qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with eight RBDs (four males and four females), aged between 20 and 26 years old, identified amongst university students. The informants were recruited using snowballing technique with purposive criteria as RBD; non-first time donors and have donated more than one time within 12 months after the last donation. Each RBD had donated blood between three to six occasions as overall donations. Findings showed that perceived social support from peers as well as encountering friendly and competent phlebotomists were among the positive experiences associated with blood donation that encouraged donors to continue donating. Negative experiences act as barriers to blood donation and these include encountering certain adverse effects (i.e bruises, dizziness) of donating blood and feeling unappreciated by the phlebotomists. Positive experiences and coping strategies to overcome barriers implemented by the informants have led to a stronger intention to repeat blood donation. This study found that by having positive experiences during donating blood and coping with unpleasant experiences could help to retain the intention to donate blood in the future. Future research suggested is to explore the different types of bonding in social networks among blood donors that lead to the intention to donate blood.