Adverse Effects of Whole Blood Donation among Voluntary Blood Donors in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Despite collection of blood from apparently healthy individuals for allogeneic transfusion, blood givers are often faced with untoward reactions during or after blood donation. Aim: This study was to determine the rate of adverse reactions among voluntary blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Service in Jos. Methods: All blood donors recruited by the centre between October 2012 and September 2014 were counseled and consent to participate in the research was obtained prior to donation. The age, sex, weight and blood pressure and the venue of donation were documented. The type of donation reaction during and or after donation were timed and documented. The haemoglobin level and haemoglobin phenotypes were determined. Results: Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty-five (63%) male and 37% females were studied. The overall rate of adverse effects was 2.05% with significantly higher rate of occurrence among donors aged 18-25 years (p˂0.0001), female donors (p=0.0001), weight 40-49 Kg (p=0.001), blood group B (p=0.002) haemoglobin phenotype AA (P=0.001). The rate of adverse reactions was also higher among first-time donors (p=0.002), indoor donations (p=0.001). All adverse effects documented in our donors occurred during donation (4%) and within 21 (96%) after donation. Dizziness affected 90% while severe reaction (faint) occurred in 3% of adverse reactors. Ingested meal was the vomits of all donors who vomited. Conclusion: Though adverse effects to blood donation is low in our centre, there is need for preparedness, donor education, prediction and mitigation of occurrences.