Blood Donation Drives and Donor Retention Strategies at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger State, North Central Nigeria

This study evaluates the effectiveness of blood donation drives and analyses donor retention strategies at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Maintaining an adequate voluntary blood donor base is a persistent challenge for hospital blood banks, particularly in secondary cities, and evidence-based donor management strategies are urgently needed. A mixed-methods study was conducted, combining a retrospective review of donor records from 2020 to 2023 and structured interviews with 50 repeat donors and 30 first-time lapsed donors who had not returned for a second donation. Donation drive data including yield per event, donor satisfaction, and seasonal variation were extracted and analysed. Results showed that voluntary non-remunerated donation constituted 61 percent of total donations, with family replacement donors accounting for the remainder. Repeat donor retention rate was 42 percent after first donation and declined to 27 percent after second. The most effective retention incentives identified by repeat donors were personalised appreciation letters (cited by 78%), donor health cards with result feedback (67%), and community recognition events (54%). Lapsed donors cited poor post-donation communication, inconvenient scheduling, and lack of health feedback as primary reasons for non-return. The study recommends a structured donor relationship management programme, systematic post-donation health communication, flexible donation scheduling, and annual community donor recognition events at FMC Bida. Keywords: blood donation, donor retention, voluntary donation, blood bank, Niger State.