Estimating the Transmission Risks of Viral Hepatitis and HIV Among Blood Donors in Hossana, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Screening of viral transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) among blood donors is of public health concern. It is a cost-effective method to monitor the occurrence, distribution, and trends of TTIs in healthy people. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of the three common viral TTIs among blood donors in Hossana, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 blood donors from April to May 2020 in Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and laboratory blood screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using Wantai AiDTM HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV 1 + 2 Ag/ Ab ELISA. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with each viral infection. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was calculated. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 417 blood donors participated in this study producing an overall prevalence of viral TTI was 14.38%. HBV, HCV, and HIV prevalence were 9.83%, 2.39%, and 4.31%, respectively. HBV-HIV was a common co-infection, which had 1.2%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, family history of hepatitis (AOR=5.2, 95% CI (2.92, 7.41)) and multiple sexual contacts (AOR=4.2, 95% CI (2.32-7.43)) were significantly associated with HBV; low educational level (AOR=3.1, 95% ) and multiple sexual contacts (AOR=4.9, 95% CI (3.51-7.96)) were significantly associated with HIV, but the only variable alcohol consumption (AOR=2.7, 95% CI (6.72-23.76)) was also associated with HCV infection. Conclusion:In this study, the magnitude of viral TTIs among blood donors is high. This indicates that there are high risks of transmission for these infectious pathogens. Therefore, effective stringent donor selection and screening protocols should be developed.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection Among Blood Donors in the Western Zone of Tanzania

“…Yet for those who succumbed to HBV infection before starting vaccinations can act as source of infection in these communities especially through the identi ed risk factors such as increased unsafe sex, living with infected persons, materials sharing or through vertical transmission. The ndings from this study also signi es the presence of HBV infection in the general population as seen in other studies for different groups [2,4,23], in different zones in Tanzania.…”

“…The prevalence was found to be higher (6.2%) in the Western Paci c Area, followed by Africa, with a 6.1% prevalence [2]. Chronic HBV is endemic and extremely common in sub-Saharan Africa, where it affects over 8% of the population [3], and about 12.5% of patients receiving blood transfusions are at risk of acquiring hepatitis infection [4]. It causes liver cancer, of which, about two out of every three (2/3) incidences are brought by chronic HBV, which develops liver cirrhosis [5].…”

“…The virus gets into the liver through bloodstream and reproduces in hepatocytes [13]. The risk factors for HBV infection include age, sex [14], unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple-partners, tattooing, family history of hepatitis B [15], place of residence [16], occupation [17], education, alcoholism, Human Immunode ciency Virus (HIV) [4], and blood transfusion [18]. Several studies have reported different prevalence of HBV from different zones for different groups [2,4,22,23] but not in Western Zone of Tanzania, including geographical distribution, and associated socio-demographic characteristics for HBV infection among blood donors.…”

“…The risk factors for HBV infection include age, sex [14], unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple-partners, tattooing, family history of hepatitis B [15], place of residence [16], occupation [17], education, alcoholism, Human Immunode ciency Virus (HIV) [4], and blood transfusion [18]. Several studies have reported different prevalence of HBV from different zones for different groups [2,4,22,23] but not in Western Zone of Tanzania, including geographical distribution, and associated socio-demographic characteristics for HBV infection among blood donors. This study therefore aimed at generating information on seroprevalence of HBV in Western regions of Tanzania, its geographical distribution, and associated socio-demographic characteristics, for improving management of the disease and informing policy-making process for needed appropriate interventions.…”

Burden and Transmission Risks of Viral Hepatitis in Southern Ethiopia: Evidence Needed for Prevention and Control Measures

“… 34 Infants born to HBV- or HCV-infected mothers 17 and those with immunosuppressive chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus 35 are also at highrisk of HBV or HCV infection. 7 Behavioral factors like alcohol consumption, 36 multiple sexual contacts, 37 and khat chewing 38 , 39 put people at increased risk of transmission.…”