Feasibility of implementing source plasma donation with alternative eligibility criteria for men who have sex with men

Canada does not collect enough blood plasma to meet the needs of Canadians. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have historically been limited from donating plasma if they are sexually active. Plasma is collected and processed in a way that ensures greater safety than standard blood donation. With this safety layer, new screening questions could be used to allow some sexually active MSM to donate, such as those in a monogamous relationship. It is important to understand what barriers and enablers would impact on donating plasma and to work with MSM and donation clinic staff to co-develop a strategy to encourage donation that best addresses their needs and concerns.

Objectives: with MSM and clinic staff: 1- Identify if additional behavioural screening questions are feasible/acceptable and identify barriers/enablers to donating plasma. 2- Co-produce and assess feasibility and acceptability of strategies and materials for encouraging plasma donation. Deliverables: Co-developed, feasible and acceptable materials and a strategy to encourage MSM plasma donation to inform implementation of alternative criteria.

Alignment with program objectives and priorities: This project aligns with the ‘impact of alternative risk reduction technologies on donor screening’ and ‘operational feasibility of alternative donor deferral policies and their acceptability by Canadians’ priorities.

PRESSEAU, Justin

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

MSM Research Grant Program

Ontario

$309,940