To overcome the shortage of blood to treat obstetric hemorrhage, the first step is to evaluate the demand and supply gap by acquiring comprehensive data on the current status of the blood supply and the prevalence of obstetric hemorrhage in Ethiopia. Subsequent steps would include the implementation of transfusion policies, the optimization of whole blood collection, ensuring quality-assured testing of donated blood, and the implementation of transfusion guidelines for the appropriate use of blood products. Strategies for long-term, viable solutions to maintain an adequate blood supply should be simultaneously developed.

Background Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous agent that commonly infects individuals from diverse geographical and socio‐economic backgrounds. The infection is a major concern among some populations of blood transfusion recipients, especially neonates and immune‐compromised patients. Information on the burden of the infection is very scarce, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no documented evidence regarding its distribution and risk factors among blood donors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assesses the magnitude and risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection among voluntary blood donors at National Blood Bank, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, a consecutive sampling of donors was used to select 605 participants. Data were collected by using a self‐administered structured questionnaire, and blood samples were collected for laboratory tests following standard blood centre SOPs. Serum samples were assayed for CMV IgG and CMV IgM using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Descriptive statistical techniques were used to assess the distribution, and chi‐square test was performed to identify associated factors at P values <0·05. Result Of 605 voluntary blood donors included in the study, 458 (75·7%) were males. Mean ± SD age of the study participants was 30·3 ± 8·37 years with range between 18 and 63 years. There were 571 (94·4%) CMV IgG and 24 (4·0%) CMV IgM positivity donors. Transfusion‐transmissible infections (TTIs) positivity rate was 2 (0·3%) for HIV, 6 (1·0%) for HBsAg and 3 (0·5%) for syphilis. There were no statically significant associations between the dependent and independent variables. Conclusion and Recommendation The magnitude of CMV is high among voluntary blood donors, and it has no association with transfusion and sexual contact history of donors. Therefore, we recommend CMV screening should be considered while transfusing immunosuppressed individuals, investigation of risk‐mitigation strategies, such as universal leucoreduction versus selective bed‐side leucoreduction should be considered.