Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI), in first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis are on the rise and pose a threat to blood safety. Objective: To determine prevalence and demographic profiles of TTI's among first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted between February to November 2013; 130 first time blood donors were tested for the presence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibodies and Treponema palidium antibodies using EIA based rapid immunochromatographic kits. Data analysis was done using SPSS with a level of significance of p<0.05. Results: Prevalence rates to HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibody, were 6.2% (n=8), 10% (n=13) and 1.5% (n=2), there was 0% prevalence to Treponema palidium antibodies. Group specific prevalence rates revealed that educational status was associated with HBsAg positivity (p = 0.028), donors with a history of previous blood transfusion was also statistically associated with HIV sero-reactivity (p = 0.013). Conclusions: High levels of HBsAg and HIV were observed, there is need to revise the donor testing algorithm in Nigeria in line with the prevalence of TTI's. We also advocate that a National surveillance system for TTI's be established through our National blood transfusion service (NBTS) program, a second serological test is also suggested to reduce the risk of occult HBV infection in Nigeria.

A Seven Year Review of the Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections in a Hospital Based Blood Bank in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…The blood donor HIV rate of 1.3% in 2010 was also less than 4.1% of the general population [25]. These rates are within the estimated values ranging between 1.0 % and 6 % reported from other regions of the country for blood donors [4,5,[9][10]. Marked differences in the prevalence among regions in Nigeria is due to cultural differences, varying level of education, religion, differing socio-economic structure.…”

“…A prevalence of 0.8 to 6.0% has been reported among blood donors in Nigeria [4,5,8,9]. A prevalence of 4.4% was reported from a neighbouring country, Ghana and 1.8% for Libya and 0.11% for California, USA [20,35,36].…”

“…Over the last decade many blood banks in the country have included screening for hepatitis C. The seroprevalence rate for HIV among blood donors is different in various parts of the country. It ranges from 1.0 to 5.8% [4,8,10]. A previous study showed fluctuating high seroprevalence rates among our blood donors 11 .…”

“…Hepatitis B and C infections are prevalent in Nigeria with a carrier rate of about 10-20% and 0.5-6%, respectively among blood donors [3,4,5]. Exceptionally high seroprevalence has been reported in Benin -city Nigeria 6 Post transfusion hepatitis has been reported to be as high as 12.5% in Nigeria, though this was before the advent of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) [7].…”

Seroprevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphoma/Leukemia Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1) Antibodies among Blood Donors at Ibadan, Nigeria

“…In Nigeria, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are important causes of concern among blood donors and the Nigerian policy on blood transfusion emphasizes screening for the three viral infections as well as syphilis. The Seroprevalence rates of Hepatitis B and C among blood donors range from about 10-20% and 0.5-6%, respectively [8][9][10]. Currently, routine screening of blood donors for HTLV I/II is not practiced in Nigeria.…”