Analysis of Transfusion Transmitted Infections Among Blood Donors:To Prepare a Road Map for its Prevention and Control

Abstract

Introduction: Safe blood transfusion is the responsibility of all the blood banks and transfusion centres. Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTI) is a major hurdle in achieving this goal. Aim: To assess prevalence of TTI among blood donors and prepare guidelines for its prevention and control. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at Subharti Blood Bank, Meerut. All blood donors for a period of year 2011 to 2016 were included in this study. All donated units were screened by ELISA technique for HIV, HCV and HBSAg and rapid card techniques for syphilis and malaria. Results: Total number of donors over a period of 06 years was 34342, with 96.50% male donors and 37.79% voluntary donors. Overall, seropositivity for HIV, HCV, HBV, syphilis and malaria were 0.1135%, 1.503%, 1.744%, 0.093% and 0.046% respectively. Out of 1200 female donors only 10 were seropositive for TTI, 07 for HCV and 03 for HBV. None of the female donor was seropositive for HIV, syphilis or malaria. Conclusion: A downward trend was noticed in overall seropositivity over the years. It is concluded that initiatives be taken at each level to spread awareness about benefits of voluntary blood donation and to spread knowledge about prevention of TTIs, so that aim of providing ‘Safe Blood’ can be achieved.

Keywords

• hepatitis b
• hepatitis c
• malaria
• safe transfusion
• syphilis