What is the project?
In England, people from ethnic minority communities are less likely to donate blood: Black and Asian donors make up 1.4% and 3.4% of donors overall. The CEHR are collaborating on a NIHR BHST funded programme grant to with The University of Nottingham to explore and understand blood donation behaviours and opinions, especially people from ethnic minority communities.
Through a series of interviews, the aim is to understand previous involvement in blood donation (ever donated or received blood); why people from ethnic minority communities may be less likely to donate blood; and also to receive feedback on future campaigns to encourage people from ethnic minorities to donate blood, the use of screening tools to screen potential blood donors levels of iron and if iron supplements should be used, barriers and facilitators of blood donations.
A total of 64 interviews have been taking place over the spring and summer of 2023 with data being analysed over the autumn and winter.
The findings will form part on a 5-year programme of research, as part of a BTRU in blood donor health and behaviour that is funded by the NIHR in partnership with NHSBT. The findings will be submitted for publication in academic journals and presented to NHSBT to inform their current and future policies.
What is the aim?
This project aims to explore and understand blood donation behaviours and opinions, especially people from ethnic minority communities to inform current and future policies.
Who is involved?
The University of Nottingham
The University of Queensland, Australia
The Centre for Ethnic Health Research
Local community members
Contact
Carol Akroyd – carol.akroyd@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Nasima Miah – nbm5@leicester.ac.uk