Eur J Anat, 18 (1): 55-59 (2014)

Annual variation of body donor registrations in New Zealand

Jon Cornwall

Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

ABSTRACT The success of body donation programmes relies on donor generosity and effective donor recruitment strategies. Knowledge of donor registration behaviour may therefore facilitate the success of existing programmes by increasing the efficacy of donor advertising or awareness campaigns. Annual donor registration patterns have not previously been examined, therefore this study investigated whether donor registrations varied over the calendar year at one body donation centre in New Zealand. An audit of 10 years (2000-2010) body donor registration data from the Otago School of Medical Sciences (University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand) body donation programme was undertaken. Variables examined included birthday, date of registration initiation (first contact with department), and date the registration process was completed. Data were assessed using descriptive statistics, then analysed by Chi2 (categorical) and t-test (continuous) with P<0.05. A total of 1352 individuals registered (mean 68.3 years). There was a significant difference in the month people initiated registration (16% in August) and the month in which people completed registration. In relation to donorsâ?? birthdate, there was no difference in donor birth month or the day donors first contacted the department. Results indicate certain high-frequency periods during the year in which southern New Zealand inhabitants are more likely to register as body donors, with significantly more registrations initiated and completed during August. Data did not relate significantly to individualsâ?? birthdays or Christian religious holidays, thereby indicating that these did not overly influence an individualsâ?? decision to donate. Findings suggest targeting donor programme advertising or recruitment to different months may be useful.

Keywords: Body donation, Donor recruitment, Donor registration, Donation programme, Body donor