Perceived risk of becoming infected with HIV by donating blood and changes in reported blood donation practice among the Scottish general public 1989–1992

Abstract

A total of 17,537 respondents aged 18–60 and resident in Edinburgh and Glasgow were interviewed between January 1989 and May 1992 as part of a large scale continuous monitoring survey of lifestyles and health. A computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) system was used. Respondents were chosen randomly from households with telephones. The objective was to see whether concern about the risks of becoming infected with HIV by donating blood led to a change in the blood donating habits of existing blood donors. Results showed no change in the percentage of donors, ex-donors and non-donors between 1989 and 1992, but a recent decrease in the percentage of respondents who thought that you could become infected with HIV by donating blood was observed. The percentage of new donors and ex-donors balanced each other out, but in all years respondents reporting a decreased frequency of donation outweighed those reporting an increased frequency. The belief that you can become infected with HIV by donating blood was most prevalent among non-donors followed by ex-, current and new-donors in that order. There was some evidence that the belief that you can become infected with HIV by donating blood was adversely affecting blood donation habits.