Exploring factors influencing university students' participation in fecal microbiota donation: a descriptive qualitative study.

AIM: To investigate the motivations and factors influencing university students' decisions to donate feces, and to provide recommendations to hospitals conducting fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on specific actions to encourage students to participate in fecal donation. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with fecal donor volunteers using a semi-structured interview approach. Data were analyzed using NVivo 11.0 qualitative analysis software, following the methodology of descriptive qualitative research. RESULTS: This study interviewed 30 college students and identified two themes and 11 sub-themes: motivations for fecal microbiota donation and barriers to participation. The primary incentives for fecal donors participating in the FMT program included financial incentives, a desire to help others, curiosity about FMT and its therapeutic benefits, the appeal of free health examinations, and the opportunity to support scientific research. Obstacles to participation included negative perceptions, disruption of normal life, overly stringent requirements for FMT donors, psychological barriers and discomfort with stool collection, cumbersome transportation procedures, and a lack of timely and comprehensive feedback on medical checkups. CONCLUSION: Addressing obstacles such as negative perceptions, disruption to normal life, stringent donor requirements, psychological discomfort, cumbersome transportation, and insufficient medical feedback is crucial for improving fecal donor recruitment and retention for FMT. Enhancing FMT awareness, emphasizing its benefits, and offering appropriate financial incentives may help motivate university students to donate. Implementing these strategies supports effective donor recruitment and management, advancing FMT therapy.