Zeitschrift für Bluterkrankungen und Transfusionen

Abstrakt

Factor Analysis of Motivational Factors among Experienced Blood Donors: A Case of High Schools in Manicaland Province Zimbabwe

Kampira Vincent, Chigidi Esther, Mashasha Maxwell, Edina Chandiwana

Background: Blood is a non-pharmaceutical product obtained through voluntary donations. Donations in Zimbabwe are inadequate to meet the insatiable appetite from patients in need of transfusion for various therapies and procedures. The adequacy of blood products is attributable to a profound donor recruitment and retention strategy that is largely influenced by the motives driving the blood donors. Understanding the motivations, preferred incentives and potential barriers to donation among high school aged blood donors may prove to be critical in the success of National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ).

Methods: A cross sectional study of experienced high school donors was conducted in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe consisting of a sample of 215 student donors irrespective of gender. A self-administered questionnaire requested donors to rate importance of: motivational factors, potential deterrents that may influence future decisions to donate blood and the appeal of various incentives offered by NBSZ.

Results: Factor analysis with oblique rotation revealed a three factor solution of blood donor motivation. The Understanding factor explained 57.3% of the total variation, Enhancement and value factor explained 22.3% and the social factor explained 12.7% hence the three factors explained 92.3% of the total variation in the data. 83% of the respondents were also motivated by helping their respective schools donate more than any other. None of the deterrents were rated as important. Three incentives (coffee mugs, T-shirts and Key holders) received a high level of support from majority of the respondents. The ratings were 79%,74% and 67% respectively.

Conclusion: The findings of the study provide empirical evidence for the utilization of the Voluntary Functions Inventory (VFI) in the Zimbabwean context and high school aged donors were motivated mainly by the Understanding factor. Young donors are more attracted to concrete items as incentives and males have a greater desire to donate than females.