Blood Drive Day-Related Factors Affecting University Student Blood Donation in Grenada, West Indies: A Case-Control Study

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine which factors acting in close temporal proximity to the day of a university campus blood drive were associated with university-student blood donation.

Methods: An incidence density case-control study was conducted at St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies. Cases (69) were students interviewed while donating blood at blood drives (February-April 2010). Controls (437) were non-donating students interviewed on the same days as cases. Exposures of interest were: Sources of knowledge of the blood drive, the presence or lack of academic deadlines within a week of the blood drive, and the number of hours of classes on the day of the blood drive. Data were analysed using logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios approximating risk ratios (RR).

Results: Associations with blood donation were higher for electronic and/or personal (RREmail = 5.1; 95% CI: 2.7–9.6, RRFacebook = 4.3; 95% CI: 2.1–9.0, RRPersonalReminder = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.6–5.4) than for impersonal (RRClassAnnouncement = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3–4.8) sources of blood drive knowledge. Additionally, students with classes only in the morning (RRAMonly = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2), or afternoon (RRPMonly = 1.5; 95% CI: 0.7–2.9) and those with no academic deadlines within a week of the blood drive were more likely to donate blood.

Conclusion: University-student blood donation shows a stronger association with personal and/or electronic advertising than with impersonal and/or non-electronic advertising. University blood drives should target students with similar timetables at times of reduced academic stress using personal and electronic modes of advertising.