An evaluation of a donation coping brochure with Australian non-donors

The current study evaluated the impact of blood donation coping brochures, adapted to address known predictors of non-donation, among Australians who had not previously donated blood. Participants read a donation coping brochure that either (1) incorporated a first-time donor narrative or (2) omitted the narrative, (3) a standard donor recruitment brochure, or (4) a control brochure focusing on exercise. Whilst both of the coping brochures resulted in significant changes in intention and a number of its predictors, the version with a donor narrative resulted in significantly greater improvements in self efficacy, intention, and fewer anticipated vasovagal reactions than the standard donor recruitment brochure. The findings indicate that specifically-designed brochures can enhance non-donors’ intentions to donate blood.