Assessment of noncompliance in self‑disclosure of deferrable risk behaviors among blood donors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion services work to ensure universal accessibility of safe and effective blood products for transfusion to recipients. Failure of blood donors to disclose complete truthful information before blood donation is termed as noncompliance. Noncompliance in disclosing high‑risk behaviors could compromise blood safety. This study aimed to assess the prevalence rate of noncompliance and assess the predictive factors and reasons for noncompliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood donors were asked to fill a postdonation anonymous questionnaire after obtaining consent and the responses were tabulated and analyzed. Prevalence of noncompliance for both high‑risk and nonhigh‑risk behaviors are evaluated. Variables associated with noncompliance are analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS: Total number of participants was 3001, 2850 participants gave valid responses and included in the study. There were 94 (3.30%) responses revealing noncompliance for nonhigh‑risk behavior and 30 (1.05%) responses revealing noncompliance for high‑risk behavior. The predictor variables for noncompliance in reporting high‑risk behavior were education and adultery. The predictor variables for noncompliance in nonhigh‑risk behavior reporting were presence of comorbidity and adultery. CONCLUSION: Noncompliance in disclosure of high‑risk behavior compromises blood safety. Blood donors must be ensured sufficient privacy while filling predonation questionnaire and while eliciting history any deferrable behaviors during blood donor medical examination. Privacy and confidence of the donors must be ensured either to share any postdonation information directly or anonymously to facilitate confidential unit exclusion.