Trends in transfusion‐transmissible infections in potential donors in a specialist hospital in Rivers State

Abstract

Background and Objectives Transfusion-transmissible infections are still a major concern in developing countries because of the endemicity of these infections in the general population. Blood donors can be a source of continued transmission of these infections. This study determines the trends and prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections amongst prospective donors. Materials and MethodsScreening documentation for prospective donors from 2011 to 2013 was reviewed; age, sex and type of donor were identified.Results A total of 5600 prospective donors were screened over a 3-year period (2011)(2012)(2013). The number of prospective donors increased yearly over this period, and the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections reduced over the 3-year period. Hepatitis B was the most prevalent transfusion-transmissible infections in 2Á66% of donors, followed by HIV (1Á41%), HCV (0Á45%) and VDRL (0Á21%). The total prevalence of TTI in this study was 4Á73%.Conclusion Our result shows a steady decrease in the prevalence of TTIs amongst prospective blood donors. This maybe as a result of increase in the number of voluntary unremunerated donors.