Raising awareness may increase the likelihood of hematopoietic stem cell donation: a nationwide survey using artificial intelligence

期刊论文
发表日期：

2024年12月12日

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Luana Conte,
Giorgio De Nunzio,
Roberto Lupo,
Donato Cascio,
Marco Cioce,
Elsa Vitale,
Chiara Ianne,
Ivan Rubbi,
Massimo Martino,
Letizia Lombardini,
Aurora Vassanelli,
Simonetta Pupella,
Simona Pollichieni,
Nicoletta Sacchi,
Fabio Ciceri,
Stefano Botti

摘要

Background

In Italy, the demand for allogeneic transplantation exceeds the number of compatible donors in the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (IBMDR). This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, opinions, values, and feelings of the Italian population regarding stem cell donation.

Methods

An online survey was shared via social media. Respondents were retrospectively identified as registered on the IBMDR (donor group) or never registered (non-donor group). Statistical analyses confirmed the relationship between knowledge level and willingness to donate. Six machine learning classifiers were trained using questionnaire responses to predict the probability of IBMDR registration.

Results

A total of 1518 respondents participated. Characteristics identified in the non-donor group were a lower level of knowledge regarding donation needs (51.7% vs 24.4%, p < 0.001) and negative feelings such as fear (Z = − 2.2642, p = 0.02), confusion (Z = 4.4821, p < 0.001), and uncertainty (Z = 3.3425, p < 0.001). Higher knowledge predicted a greater likelihood of IBMDR enrollment. Machine learning analysis showed an AUC ranging from 0.65 to 0.81, depending on the classifier.

Conclusions

The results underscore the need to improve strategies to raise awareness and knowledge of stem cell donation among the Italian population.