In search of stool donors: a multicenter study of prior knowledge, perceptions, motivators, and deterrents among potential donors for fecal microbiota transplantation

McSweeney, Breanna; Allegretti, Jessica R.; Fischer, Monika; Xu, Huiping; Goodman, Karen J.; Monaghan, Tanya; McLeod, Carmen; Mullish, Benjamin H.; Petrof, Elaine O.; Phelps, Emmalee L.; Chis, Roxana; Edminson, Abby; Juby, Angela; Ennis-Davis, Ralph; Roach, Brandi; Wong, Karen; Kao, Dina

Abstract

Introduction: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Stool donors are essential, but difficult to recruit and retain. We identified factors influencing willingness to donate stool.
Methods: A 32-item questionnaire targeted young adults and health care workers via social media and university email lists in Edmonton and Kingston, Canada; London and Nottingham, England; and Indianapolis and Boston, USA. Items included baseline demographics and FMT knowledge and perception. Investigated motivators and deterrents included economic compensation, screening process, time commitment, and stool donation logistics. Logistic regression and linear regression models estimated associations of study variables with self-assessed willingness to donate stool.
Results: 802 respondents completed our questionnaire: 387 (48.3%) age 21–30 years, 573 (71.4%) female, 323 (40%) health care workers. Country of residence, age and occupation were not associated with willingness to donate stool. Factors increasing willingness to donate were: already a blood donor (OR 1.64), male, altruism, economic benefit, knowledge of how FMT can help patients (OR 1.32), and positive attitudes towards FMT (OR 1.39). Factors decreasing willingness to donate were: stool collection unpleasant (OR 0.92), screening process invasive (OR 0.92), higher donation frequency, negative social perceptions of stool, and logistics of collecting/transporting feces.
Discussion: Blood donors and males are more willing to consider stool donation. Altruism, economic compensation, and positive feedback are motivators. Screening process, high donation frequency, logistics of collecting/transporting feces, lack of public awareness, and negative social perception are deterrents. Considering these variables could maximize donor recruitment and retention.

Citation

McSweeney, B., Allegretti, J. R., Fischer, M., Xu, H., Goodman, K. J., Monaghan, T., …Kao, D. (2020). In search of stool donors: a multicenter study of prior knowledge, perceptions, motivators, and deterrents among potential donors for fecal microbiota transplantation. Gut Microbes, 11(1), 51-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2019.1611153

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 18, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 23, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 3, 2019
• Journal: Gut Microbes
• Print ISSN: 1949-0976
• Electronic ISSN: 1949-0984
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 51-62
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2019.1611153
• Keywords: fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT); Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI); recurrent Clostridioes difficile infection (RCDI); fecal transplant donors; stool donors
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1836711
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19490976.2019.1611153
• Contract Date: Apr 24, 2019