Seroprevalence and Trends of Transfusion Transmissible Infections in Blood Donors in Andaman and Nicobar Islands- An Institutional Retrospective Study

Prevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible Infections Among Voluntary Blood Donors in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) pose a significant risk to blood transfusion safety, especially in low-resource settings. TTIs include infections such as HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis, and malaria. Over four years, this study assesses the seroprevalence of TTIs among voluntary blood donors at a tertiary care center. Materials and methods This retrospective observational study was conducted at the blood bank of a tertiary care center from June 2019 to December 2022. A total of 4639 voluntary blood donors were screened for TTIs, including HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis, and malaria, using third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and rapid diagnostic tests. The data were analyzed to evaluate the seroprevalence of each infection and its trends over the study period. Results The overall prevalence of TTIs among the 4639 donors was 68 (1.46%). The highest seroprevalence was observed for HBV, with 33 (0.71%), followed by syphilis with 22 (0.47%), HIV with nine (0.19%), and HCV with four (0.08%). No cases of malaria were detected. The prevalence of TTIs was highest in 2021, with the seroprevalence of HBV peaking at 15 (1.14%). Male donors accounted for 4412 (98%) of all donations, and the prevalence of TTIs was significantly higher among males than females. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and screening for TTIs among blood donors to ensure transfusion safety. The higher seroprevalence of HBV underscores the need for effective vaccination programs, and the disparity in gender distribution calls for strategies to encourage female blood donations. TTIs remain a public health concern, necessitating improved donor screening and public awareness.

Sero-prevalence of transfusion-transmittable infections and associated factors among blood donors in Eastern Ethiopia: an Institutional-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Blood transfusion saves millions of lives each year globally. But, it was associated with certain risks which can lead to adverse consequences. However, there is paucity of information regarding to the sero-prevalence and risk factor of transfusion-transmittable infections among blood donors in Eastern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of transfusion-transmittable infections and associated factors among blood donors in Eastern Ethiopia from February to March 2018.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 blood donors in Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and laboratory blood screening. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Statistically significance was considered at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The overall sero-prevalence of transfusion-transmittable infections was 12.4% (95% confidence interval: 9.5, 15.3). Hepatitis B virus (6.6%) and syphilis (3.4%) were found at high magnitude. Those with family having human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis (adjusted odd ratio = 2.91; 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 6.33), giving care for human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis patient (adjusted odd ratio = 3.24; 95% confidence interval: 1.49, 7.07), multiple sex partner (adjusted odd ratio = 2.56; 95% confidence interval: 1.21, 5.19), unsafe sex (adjusted odd ratio = 2.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.51, 5.92), dental procedure (adjusted odd ratio = 2.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 6.28), and had no formal education (adjusted odd ratio = 2.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 4.86) were significantly associated with transfusion-transmittable infections.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of transfusion-transmittable infections in this study was relatively high compared to studies conducted earlier in Ethiopia. Factors such as unsafe sex, multiple sex partner, dental procedure, and family with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis, provide health care for human immunodeficiency virus-infected or hepatitis patients, donor type, and educational level were significantly associated with transmission-transmittable infections. Thus, health promotion about prevention and control transmission-transmittable infections should be given to the community by considering the identified risk factors. Each of the blood banks and regional health bureaus in the study area should mobilize community for increasing repeated voluntary donors through promotion of blood bank activity.

Seroprevalence and trends of transfusion transmitted infections at Harar blood bank in Harari regional state, Eastern Ethiopia: eight years retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The use of unscreened blood exposes the patient to many transfusion transmitted infections including Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and syphilis, among others. Thus, blood transfusion demands for meticulous pre-transfusion testing and screening. Trends of transfusion transmitted infections are important to take appropriate measures on blood bank services. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess seroprevalence and trends of transfusion transmitted infections at Harar blood bank in Harari regional state, Eastern Ethiopia from 2008 to 2015.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed to review blood donors' history and laboratory tests records from November 16-December 31, 2017. All records of blood donors having vividly documented history and laboratory tests were reviewed by data collectors. All data were entered into EPI data version 3.1. It was exported and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 soft ware.

RESULT

A total of 11, 382 blood donors' history and laboratory tests records were reviewed. Majority of them were males (82.6%), 57.6 % were in the age group of 17 to 25 years and 99.9% donors donated blood for the first time. The overall seroprevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (HBV, HIV, HCV and syphilis combined) was found to be 6.6%. The prevalence of HBV, HIV, HCV and syphilis were found to be 4.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The trend in prevalence of syphilis and HCV was statistical significant by year (p< 0.05). Those donors in the age group of 26-35 years (AOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2,3.6), 36-45 years (AOR: 4.1; 95% CI: 2.4,7.1) and greater than 46 years (AOR:4.6; 95% CI: 2.3,9.1) were more likely to be infected with syphilis compared to the age group of 17-25 years. Male were more likely to be infected with HBV (AOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.5) than females.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnitude of transfusion transmitted infections was lower than the previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. However, the decline in trends of transfusion transmitted infections has not been significant for some pathogens. Therefore, strict adherence with the criteria of preliminary blood donor selection should be implemented to reduce the amount of blood being withdrawn from transfusion after collection and screening.