Reentry of voluntary blood donors in Chongqing, China (2022-2024): a retrospective single-center analysis.

This study presents a retrospective analysis of the reentry process for voluntary blood donors in Chongqing, China, from 2022 to 2024, focusing on donor profiles, requalification outcomes, and factors influencing successful return to donation. Donor reentry allows individuals who were temporarily deferred due to reactive screening results for transfusion-transmissible pathogens to requalify as eligible donors, thereby helping to reduce unnecessary donor loss and alleviate donor distress. However, the implementation and effectiveness of such programs vary considerably across regions in China. In this analysis, 808 donors who applied for reentry at the Chongqing Blood Center were included. Reentry testing followed a structured protocol consisting of dual-ELISA serology, individual nucleic acid testing (NAT), and supplementary chemiluminescence assays. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test in SPSS 27.0. The overall reentry success rate was 60.52%, with the highest rate observed among HIV-reactive donors (68.85%) and the lowest among HBV-reactive donors (40.65%). Higher educational attainment was significantly associated with reentry success, while sex, ABO blood type, marital status, and occupation showed no significant correlation. Of the successfully re-entered donors, 49.08% returned to donate at least once, although most donated only once or twice subsequently. Disqualifications occurred in 13.75% of returning donors, primarily due to reactivity for HIV, HBV, or TP. The findings indicate that a well-defined reentry protocol can effectively reintegrate a substantial proportion of single-reagent-reactive donors into the eligible donor pool. Requalification outcomes are influenced by pathogen type and donor education level, underscoring the need for pathogen-specific testing strategies and tailored donor communication. Sustained donor engagement and long-term follow-up are recommended to maintain donation frequency and ensure blood safety.