Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors at National Blood Transfusion Service, Eritrea: a seven-year retrospective study

Abstract

BackgroundBlood transfusion is associated with several risks particularly exposure to blood transfusion-transmissible infections (TTI), including: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Syphilis, among others. The threat posed by these blood-borne pathogens is disproportionately high in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This fact underscores the need for continuous surveillance of TTIs in the region. Therefore, the study objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of TTIs and donor characteristics associated with positivity for TTIs at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Asmara, Eritrea.MethodsA retrospective analysis of blood donors’ records covering the period from January 2010 to December 2016 was undertaken. The records were analyzed to evaluate the annualised cumulative prevalence of TTIs. Chi-square test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between serological positivity and particular donor characteristics. Logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with cumulative TTIs positivity. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultA total of 60,236 consecutive blood donors were screened between 2010 and 2016. At least 3.6% of donated blood was positive for at least one TTI and 0.1% showed evidence of multiple infections. The sero-prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, syphilis and co-infection was 2.0, 0.7, 0.3 and 0.6%, respectively. Sex, type of donor and region were associated with TTI positivity. Except for donation frequency, there was a significant relationship (P < 0.005) between HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis sero-positivity and other donor characteristics evaluated in the study.ConclusionThe result demonstrates that Eritrea has relatively low TTI prevalence compared to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the prevalence, particularly that of HCV, increased significantly in 2016. Enhancing donor screening and additional research utilizing nucleic acid based techniques should therefore be prioritized.

Transfusion-Transmissible Infections among Voluntary Blood Donors at Debre Tabor Blood Bank, North West Ethiopia: A Three Years Retrospective Study

“…From the total voluntary blood donors, male have the higher contribution, constitute around two third. The finding was comparable with studies done in Ethiopian and sub-Saharan Africa [14][15][16] and this might be due to knowledge and attitude difference between the two sex, due to physiologic difference (menstruation cycle and birth related issues) that, females were less participate in voluntary blood donation. Despite the fact that males were more in the donor pool of this study, females were comparatively high when compared with female involvement in blood donation in other studies in Ethiopia and Nigeria [17,18].…”

“…Females have been reported to donate more owing to altruism rather than remunerated reasons. The age group of 18 -24 years took the donation than other age categories and the finding is comparable with a study done in Eritrea [15]. The higher contribution of 18-24 years of age group might be due to fear that, as age increases the population might perceive that donating blood may cause problem on them.…”

“…The study identified that, 7255 blood units were collected in the tree consecutive years and from them, 4.6% were have at least one of the blood borne pathogens. The finding is lower as compared to a study done in Wollaita Sodo, South Ethiopia [14] but slight higher as compared to study done in Eritrea and South Ethiopia [15,16]. The observed difference might be because of the actual differences in population risks or strictness and effectiveness of the procedures followed of blood collection process.…”

“…The observed difference might be because of the actual differences in population risks or strictness and effectiveness of the procedures followed of blood collection process. Among the different blood borne pathogens, the prevalence of HIV was 0.41%, which is lower as compared to studies done in Wollaita Sodo and South Ethiopia (14) but it shows slightly higher rate than study done in Eritrea and South Ethiopia [15,16]. This might also be due to the actual differences in population risks or strictness and effectiveness of the procedures followed of blood collection process.…”

Blood Transfusion-Associated Infections in the Twenty-First Century: New Challenges

“…The threat of blood-borne pathogens is disproportionately high in Sub-Saharan Africa, but there is variation among countries. In Eritrea, 60,236 blood donors were screened between 2010 and 2016, and at least 3.6% of donated blood was positive for one of the acknowledged transfusion-transmittable infections [TTI], HBV, HIV, HCV and syphilis, and 0.1% for multiple infections [20]. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, syphilis, and co-infections were 2.0, 0.7, 0.3, and 0.6%, respectively.…”