O-60 Profile of voluntary blood donors in Jamaica
Author(s):
D Reece, J Denton, L Buchner Daley, C Sinquee Brown, M Reece Mills
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: To identify demographic characteristics associated with voluntary blood donation among repeat donors in
Jamaica, in order to guide strategies that support the transition toward a sustainable Voluntary Non Remunerated
Donor (VNRD) system.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 245 repeat blood donors interviewed across two major collection sites. Demographic variables including age, sex, education level, and geographic proximity to blood banks were assessed. VNRDs were defined as individuals who donated without request or obligation to a specific patient.
Results: Only 20% (n=52) of repeat donors were voluntary. VNRDs were predominantly male (65%), though the proportion of voluntary donors was higher among females than males (31% vs. 17.6%). Female voluntary donors had a higher mean age (42 years) compared with males (38 years). A significant proportion of voluntary donors attained higher level education: 71.1% tertiary, 21.2% secondary, and 7.7% vocational. Notably, 30% of voluntary donors lived more than 30 miles from the nearest blood bank.
Conclusion: Voluntary donors in Jamaica are more likely to be tertiary-educated adults who may also reside far from collection sites. These findings highlight two actionable points for strengthening Jamaica’s blood supply: (1) focused engagement of tertiary-educated individuals through workplace and university-based drives and (2) improved access for donors in remote areas. Focused recruitment and outreach to these populations could accelerate Jamaica’s transition from family replacement to a sustainable voluntary donation system, which would better align with World Health Organization (WHO) standards and improve blood security in Jamaica.