An analysis of decision making in cord blood donation through a participatory approach

In memory of Professor Brian O’ Connell

Abstract

We analysed knowledge, comprehension, opinions, attitudes and choices related to cord blood donation in seven heterogeneous focus groups including pregnant women, future parents, cord blood donors, midwives and obstetricians/gynaecologists. Comparative evaluations focused on attitudes before versus after delivery and preferences of public versus private banking. The study outlined large support to altruistic cord blood donation and need for better health professionals education in this field. Collected information was presented in a public conference and used to develop an informative brochure which was tested for readability and clearliness in four workshops and finally distributed to 26 regional delivery suites.

Keywords: Cord blood donation, Decision making, Public banking, Private banking, Participatory approach

a Centro di Medicina Trasfusionale, Terapia Cellulare e Criobiologia, Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy

b Direzione Scientifica, Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy

c Ufficio per il Trattamento dei Dati Personali, Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy

d Corso di Laurea in Ostetricia, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Italy

e Servizio Professioni Infermieristiche, Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Città di Milano, Italy

f Medical Genetics, Dipartimento Area della Donna, del Bambino e del Neonato, Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy

g Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Dipartimento Area della Donna, del Bambino e del Neonato, Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy

Corresponding author.

PII: S1473-0502(10)00057-1

doi:10.1016/j.transci.2010.03.005

14 of 17