Investigation of hesitancy to donate plasma among COVID-19 survivors in Goa: an online survey

Abstract

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to surge in mortality. In the absence of definitive treatment, convalescent plasma therapy was accepted as a modality to treat COVID-19 patients. There exists hesitancy with regards to COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation. To find the deterrents to CCP donation.Methods: An online survey was conducted by snowball technique. The study participants were COVID-19 survivors. They were asked to express their willingness to donate CCP. The reasons for not donating CCP were recorded. The data was analyzed using R-program. The adjusted and unadjusted Odds ratios were calculated to find the predictors of willingness to donate CCP.Results: 110 study participants responded to the survey. 49.1% of the responders were willing to donate plasma. The top three deterrents of CCP donation were ill health (27.6%; 95% CI, 18.28%-39.27%), ineligibility (10.5%; 95% CI, 4.98%-20.21%), not recovered completely (6.58%; 95% CI, 2.45%-15.34%). The female gender, older age, being symptomatic, unaware of government incentives, tested by RAT, and unaware of CPT were associated with lower odds of donating CCP.Conclusions: Ill health, ineligibility, and perceived incomplete recovery were the major deterrents of CCP donation. Being female, older age, being symptomatic, unaware of government incentives, tested by RAT, and unaware of CPT were associated with lower willingness to donate CCP. There is a need to develop interventions to target these factors to improve CCP donation whenever it is indicated.