The attitude of blood donors towards the use of their samples and information in biomedical research

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographics and socioeconomic characteristics of participants (n=616)

Characteristic	Number of participants (%)a
Age (years)
17–25 y	456 (74.0)
26–35 y	110 (17.9)
36–45 y	28 (4.5)
>45 y	22 (3.6)
Gender
Male	539 (87.5)
Female	77 (12.5)
Occupation
Employed	189 (68.2)
Unemployed	196 (31.8)
Education
Less than GSSE	71 (11.5)
GSSE	125 (20.3)
College	59 (9.6)
University	321 (52.1)
Masters degree or doctorate	40 (6.5)
Marital status
Single	324 (52.6)
Married	286 (46.4)
Divorced	6 (1)
Income level
Low	237 (38.5)
Medium	354 (57.5)
High	25 (4.1)

Notes:

a Percentage values were calculated based on the total number of participants.

Abbreviation: GSSE, General Secondary School Education.

Table 2 Practice, attitude and knowledge of participants about blood donation and research on donated blood (n=616)

Characteristic	Number of participants (%)a
The number of blood donations in the last five years
Zero	37 (6.0)
Once	241 (39.1)
Twice	154 (25.0)
≤Three times	184 (29.9)
Previous participation in health-related research
Yes	140 (22.7)
No	476 (77.3)
Assessment of personal knowledge of blood diseases
High	107 (17.4)
Medium	297 (48.2)
Low	212 (34.4)
If you know that part of your donated blood to the blood bank is used in research, will this affect your future blood donation?
Yes	60 (9.7)
No	397 (64.4)
Not sure	159 (25.8)
The level of willingness to participate in medical research
High	225 (36.5)
Medium	305 (49.5)
Low	86 (14.0)
Do you agree to use a sample of your donated blood in medical research?
Yes	549 (89.1)
No	67 (10.9)
Do you agree to use a sample of your donated blood in research related genetic diseases?
Yes	528 (85.7)
No	88 (14.3)
How confident you are that scientific research in your area is beneficial to both society and individuals
High	217 (35.2)
Medium	296 (48.1)
Low	103 (16.7)
From your perspective, the likelihood that the individual will be harmed by participating in health related scientific studies
High	98 (15.9)
Medium	220 (35.7)
Low	298 (48.4)
Blood donation is related to customs, traditions and religion
Strongly agree	154 (25.0)
Agree	237 (38.5)
Not sure	120 (19.5)
Disagree	73 (11.9)
Strongly disagree	32 (5.2)

Note:

a Percentage values were calculated based on the total number of participants.

Table 3 Participants’ opinion about biomedical research on donated blood (n=616)

Statement	N (%)a
Prior informed consent is required for conducting medical research on the donated blood to the blood bank
Yes	399 (64.8)
No	217 (35.2)
Medical research on the donated blood samples will assist in the development of medications for genetic diseases
Strongly agree	192 (31.2)
Agree	285 (46.3)
Not sure	117 (19.0)
Disagree	13 (2.1)
Strongly disagree	9 (1.5)
Medical research on the donated blood samples will assist in the development of medications for infectious diseases
Strongly agree	198 (32.1)
Agree	294 (47.7)
Not sure	102 (16.6)
Disagree	14 (2.3)
Strongly disagree	8 (1.3)
There is a need for the donated blood samples for biomedical research
Strongly agree	157 (25.5)
Agree	319 (51.8)
Not sure	113 (18.3)
Disagree	21 (3.4)
Strongly disagree	6 (1.0)
Society needs medical research for diseases protection purposes
Strongly agree	266 (43.2)
Agree	277 (45.0)
Not sure	54 (8.8)
Disagree	10 (1.6)
Strongly disagree	9 (1.5)
If you agree to use a sample of your donated blood scientific research, do you want to receive the results of the test
Yes	541 (87.8)
No	75 (12.2)
Receiving the test results of the donated blood by a third party, not a member of the research team
Strongly agree	83 (13.5)
Agree	193 (31.3)
Not sure	107 (17.4)
Disagree	131 (21.3)
Strongly disagree	102 (16.6)
Do you accept linking your health information to the donated blood sample for research purposes
Yes	397 (64.5)
No	219 (35.5)

Note:

a Percentage values were calculated based on the total number of participants.

Table 4 Univariable analysis of factors affecting participants’ opinion about biomedical research on donated blood

Statement	P-valuesa
Prior informed consent is required for conducting medical research on the donated blood to the blood bank
Age	0.001
Medical research on the donated blood samples will assist in the development of medications for genetic diseases
Gender	0.008
Medical research on the donated blood samples will assist in the development of medications for infectious diseases
Gender	0.008
Receiving the test results of the donated blood by a third party, not a member of the research team
Gender	0.004
Education	0.002
Marital status	<0.001
Income level	0.005
Which of the following models you are supporting?
Part of the donated blood should not be used in scientific research
Income level	0.005
Part of the donated blood can be used in scientific research but should not linked to donor’s health information
Age	0.009
Gender	0.036
Occupation	0.023

Note:

a P≤0.05 is statistically significant.

Table 5 Multinominal regression analysis of factors affecting participants’ opinion about biomedical research on donated blood

Statement	OR	95% CI	P-valuesa
Medical research on the donated blood samples will assist in the development of medications for infectious diseases
Not sure
Gender
Male	6.47	1.03–40.53	0.05
Female	Reference group
Receiving the test results of the donated blood by a third party, not a member of the research team
Disagree
Income level
Low	6.41	0.71–57.56	0.097
Medium	11.86	1.36–103.4	0.025^*
High	Ref
Which of the following models you are supporting? Part of the donated blood can be used in scientific research but should not linked to donor’s health information
Occupation
Employee	1.16	0.75–1.86	0.47
Un-employed	Ref

Note:

a P≤0.05 is statistically significant.