NCT05973890

Brief Summary

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the WhatsApp groups or docudrama compared to a control group (usual engagement with blood services) on repeat blood donation attempts among first-time blood donors in Ghana. Secondary outcomes will be blood donor retention, blood donation knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, motivations, intention to donate, and relatedness as potential mediators of blood donation behavior among first-time blood donors. The RCT will have three arms: 1. WhatsApp; 2. docudrama; 3. control. Each participant in the WhatsApp and docudrama arms will receive the intervention for 14 months. Participants in the control arm will receive standard national blood donation communications and be followed for 14 months. Actualized blood donation is possible every four months using NBSG guidelines; consequently, participants may make multiple blood donation attempts. Return blood donation attempts will be evaluated using the Southern Zonal Blood Center (SZBC) records (primary outcome) and participant self-report (secondary outcome) at 7 months and 14 months. Secondary measures will be evaluated at baseline, 7 and 14 months from enrollment. The duration of the RCT will be 26 months allowing for 12 months to achieve enrollment goals and 14 months of follow-up for the last individual enrolled.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
882

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2024

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 25, 2023

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 3, 2023

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 15, 2024

Completed
2.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 26, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 26, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

April 14, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2.2 years

First QC Date

July 25, 2023

Last Update Submit

April 9, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Proportion with a repeat donation attempt

    The primary outcome for the RCT will be the number of blood donation attempts

    14 months

Study Arms (3)

WhatsApp

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the WhatsApp arm will receive messages, audios, images and videos in a moderated, closed WhatsApp group over a 14-month duration. The messages aim to motivate blood donation, encourage participants to discuss their blood donation experiences, and allow them to share their motivations for donating blood.

Behavioral: WhatsApp

docudrama

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to this arm will meet three times (Month 2; Month 5 and Month 10), in a group setting, during the intervention. Each group will have a maximum of 20-40 participants. This is a stand-alone activity, which is not associated with a donation event. During each meeting, participants will be asked to watch, in the group setting, an episode of drama, lasting 15 minutes. The docudrama on blood donation will address participant's concerns regarding blood donation and address common donor fears.

Behavioral: docudrama

control

NO INTERVENTION

standard of care for repeat blood donation

Interventions

WhatsAppBEHAVIORAL

Participants assigned to the WhatsApp arm will receive messages, audios, images and videos in a moderated, closed WhatsApp group over a 14-month duration. The messages aim to motivate blood donation, encourage participants to discuss their blood donation experiences, and allow them to share their motivations for donating blood.

WhatsApp
docudramaBEHAVIORAL

Participants randomized to this arm will meet three times (Month 2; Month 5 and Month 10), in a group setting, during the intervention. Each group will have a maximum of 20-40 participants. This is a stand-alone activity, which is not associated with a donation event. During each meeting, participants will be asked to watch, in the group setting, an episode of drama, lasting 15 minutes. The docudrama on blood donation will address participant's concerns regarding blood donation and address common donor fears.

docudrama

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • At least 18 years-old
  • First-time whole blood donor with the SZBC of the NBSG
  • Eligible to donate again at the time of eligibility confirmation
  • Consent to participate
  • Understands one of English, Twi, or Ga
  • Have a smart phone
  • Have, or be willing to sign up for an active WhatsApp account
  • Be willing to watch a docudrama on blood donation in a group setting

You may not qualify if:

  • History of more than one lifetime whole blood donation (with any blood center)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414, United States

Location

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: parallel 3 arm randomized controlled study with equal allocation
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 25, 2023

First Posted

August 3, 2023

Study Start

January 15, 2024

Primary Completion

March 26, 2026

Study Completion

March 26, 2026

Last Updated

April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

The BLOODSAFE project is committed to quickly sharing results and data. Papers will be submitted summarizing the primary results of the BLOODSAFE studies once the analysis is complete. These results will be published in major scientific journals and presented at scientific meetings.

Locations