Decision-making related to blood donation

Ethnographic assessment of attitudes influencing blood donation

Cord blood stored in public blood banks is the subject of increasing interest as an alternative to bone marrow for stem cell transplants for the treatment of a range of blood disorders. Donation to a public blood bank is possible when a woman agrees to have the blood collected from her baby’s umbilical cord immediately after birth. Although the positive effects of cord blood stem cells in treating a number of conditions is well-known, some cultural groups, such as American Indians, are significantly underrepresented in public cord blood inventories. Little is known about American Indian attitudes and beliefs about cord blood donation. This project will assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and decision-making processes regarding cord blood donation among American Indian mothers/parents and communities to better understand cultural impacts related to public cord blood donation.

This project is funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Biomedical Research Commission, ADHS17-154403.