Communication Methods for Blood Donation Retention

(C-CAD Trial)

Overseen By Susan E Telke, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Disqualifiers: Multiple blood donations, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to identify the best way to encourage first-time blood donors in Ghana to donate again. It tests two methods: WhatsApp groups and docudramas (short, dramatic films) that address concerns and fears about blood donation. Participants in the WhatsApp group will receive motivational messages, while those in the docudrama group will watch episodes that tackle common donor worries. Ideal candidates are first-time blood donors at the Southern Zonal Blood Center who are willing to use WhatsApp and attend group docudrama sessions. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative strategies that could improve blood donation rates in Ghana.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these communication methods are safe for blood donation retention?

Research has shown that using WhatsApp for communication about blood donation is quite safe. In one study, about 33% of people successfully used WhatsApp to find blood donors without any problems. Another study found that 31.65% of donors responded positively to WhatsApp messages and went on to donate blood. These studies reported no major safety issues.

For the docudrama approach, direct safety data is not available. However, since it involves watching educational videos in a group, it is expected to be low-risk. This method aims to address concerns and fears about blood donation, which is generally a safe way to encourage more donations without causing harm.

Overall, both WhatsApp and docudrama methods appear safe and well-tolerated, with no major negative effects reported in related research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to keep blood donors coming back. Unlike the standard practice of using reminders and incentives, this trial tests the impact of engaging communication methods. The WhatsApp group allows participants to share their experiences and motivations in a supportive online community, which could make the process more personal and engaging. Meanwhile, the docudrama offers a creative approach by addressing fears and concerns through storytelling, potentially making donors feel more informed and comfortable. These methods aim to build a stronger emotional connection and understanding, which could lead to higher retention rates among donors.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving blood donation retention?

This trial will compare different communication methods to retain blood donors. Research has shown that motivational activities, such as the docudramas used in one arm of this trial, can increase blood donation by addressing donors' fears and concerns. These activities encourage people to donate out of kindness and a desire to help others. Studies indicate that engaging content can improve how people feel about donating blood and their willingness to do so.

In another arm of this trial, participants will receive communications via WhatsApp. Past studies found that using WhatsApp alone might not significantly increase repeat donations. However, WhatsApp can help maintain contact with donors and organize donation events. While the app itself may not directly lead to more donations, it can make donors feel more connected and informed. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for first-time blood donors in Ghana who are at least 18 years old, understand English, Twi, or Ga, have a smartphone with WhatsApp or are willing to sign up for it. They must be eligible to donate again and agree to watch a docudrama on blood donation.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a first-time blood donor at the SZBC of the NBSG.

You possess a smartphone.

I am willing to watch a film on blood donation with others.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

12 months

Intervention

Participants receive either WhatsApp messages or attend docudrama sessions to encourage blood donation

14 months

WhatsApp: Continuous engagement; Docudrama: 3 group meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for repeat blood donation attempts and secondary outcomes

14 months

Evaluations at 7 and 14 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• docudrama
• WhatsApp

Trial Overview

The study tests if using WhatsApp groups or watching a docudrama can encourage first-time blood donors in Ghana to keep donating. It compares these methods against the usual communication from blood services over 14 months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: docudrama Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to this arm will meet three times (Month 2; Month 5 and Month 10), in a group setting, during the intervention. Each group will have a maximum of 20-40 participants. This is a stand-alone activity, which is not associated with a donation event. During each meeting, participants will be asked to watch, in the group setting, an episode of drama, lasting 15 minutes. The docudrama on blood donation will address participant's concerns regarding blood donation and address common donor fears.

Group II: WhatsApp Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the WhatsApp arm will receive messages, audios, images and videos in a moderated, closed WhatsApp group over a 14-month duration. The messages aim to motivate blood donation, encourage participants to discuss their blood donation experiences, and allow them to share their motivations for donating blood.

Group III: control Active Control 1 Intervention

standard of care for repeat blood donation

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Minnesota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,459

Recruited

1,623,000+

National Blood Service Ghana

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

1,800+

University of Ghana

Collaborator

Trials

48

Recruited

119,000+

National Blood Service Ghana

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

1,800+

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Collaborator

Trials

96

Recruited

804,000+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

1,000+

Syracuse University

Collaborator

Trials

54

Recruited

118,000+

University of Minnesota, Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

880+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 673 young adults showed that a specially designed Web site addressing common blood donation concerns significantly improved donation attitudes, confidence, and intentions among nondonors compared to standard and control sites.

For previous donors, the same Web site also enhanced confidence and reduced anticipated regret, suggesting that targeted online education can effectively encourage blood donation behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Web-based approach to blood donor preparation. France, CR., France, JL., Kowalsky, JM., et al.[2018]

A survey of 982 blood donors revealed that 67.7% are likely to use a mobile app for managing blood donations, indicating strong interest in leveraging technology for donor recruitment and retention.

Key features desired in the app include 24/7 appointment requests (76.8%) and quick appointment confirmations (81.3%), although concerns about excessive notifications (64.1%) and personal information security (53.5%) were also noted.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood donation mobile applications: are donors ready? Yuan, S., Chang, S., Uyeno, K., et al.[2016]

Sending a personalized postdonation SMS to 2605 blood donors significantly increased the likelihood of their return to donate within 12 months, with a return rate of 70.3% compared to 62.6% for those who did not receive the SMS.

The SMS intervention was particularly effective for first-time and novice donors, suggesting it could be a cost-effective strategy to improve donor retention, although it did not impact experienced donors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of the impact of a personalized postdonation short messaging service on the retention of whole blood donors. Gemelli, CN., Carver, A., Garn, A., et al.[2018]

Telephone calls were more effective in prompting inactive blood donors to return compared to SMS reminders, but they were also more costly, indicating a trade-off between effectiveness and cost.

SMS reminders with an altruistic appeal encouraged donors to return sooner than those who received no reminders, making them a more cost-effective option for re-recruiting inactive donors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effective methods for reactivating inactive blood donors: a stratified randomised controlled study. Ou-Yang, J., Bei, CH., Liang, HQ., et al.[2020]

A study involving 548 blood donors in Brazil found that using WhatsApp messages to encourage return visits did not significantly increase the return rates of blood donors compared to a control group.

Loyal donors were more likely to return regardless of receiving messages, indicating that motivations for blood donation may differ from those for other health interventions, suggesting a need for tailored strategies based on donor experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is WhatsApp Effective at Increasing the Return Rate of Blood Donors? Rodrigues Lucena, TF., Queiroz Negri, L., Marcon, D., et al.[2021]

A study of 169 free blood donation apps revealed that most are designed for Android and primarily help users find donors, but many lack essential features like notifications for donation events and recommendations.

About half of the apps do not require authentication, and only a few are multilingual, indicating a need for improved functionality to better engage and inform potential blood donors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free blood donation mobile applications. Ouhbi, S., Fernández-Alemán, JL., Toval, A., et al.[2021]

A randomized controlled trial with 2540 first-time blood donors showed that sending a text message after their blood was used significantly increased the retention rate for future donations, with a 31% higher return rate in the text group compared to the control group.

The study found that the median time for donors to return was similar between groups, indicating that the text messaging intervention effectively encouraged donors to come back without altering the timing of their next donation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of text messaging for promoting the retention of the first-time blood donors, a randomized controlled study (TEXT study). Pongsananurak, C., Norasetthada, L., Tantiworawit, A., et al.[2021]

An interactive conversational agent was developed using the Dialogflow framework to educate users about blood donation, successfully addressing 30 common questions and concerns.

User experience was highly satisfactory among 50 participants, indicating that this technology can effectively engage and inform the public about blood donation, potentially improving donor recruitment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Hey assistant, how can I become a donor?" The case of a conversational agent designed to engage people in blood donation. Roman, MK., Bellei, EA., Biduski, D., et al.[2021]

The 'Blood Hero' application uses gamification to encourage blood donation by rewarding users for their social acts related to donating blood, addressing the global demand for blood supply.

Currently being tested, the app facilitates interaction between users and blood centers, aiming to evaluate its acceptance and impact on blood stocks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood hero: An application for encouraging the blood donation by applying gamification. Domingos, DC., Lima, LF., Messias, TF., et al.[2020]

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