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Table 1 Deferral policies

From: A mixed methods investigation of the relationship between blood donor policy, interest in donation, and willingness to donate among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ontario, Canada

Screening policy

Eligibility criteria (all with a 3-month deferral)

Policy 1

MSM are ineligible to donate if they have had oral or anal sex with another man

Policy 2

MSM are ineligible to donate if they have had anal sex with another man (irrespective of oral sex)

Policy 3

MSM are eligible to donate if they have had anal sex as long as it was with an HIV-negative partner using condoms 100% of the time (irrespective of oral sex)

Policy 4

MSM are eligible to donate if they have had anal sex as long as it was with an HIV-negative partner (irrespective of oral sex and irrespective of condom use)