English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Every blood transfusion is associated with 1 % chance of transfusion associated problems including transfusion transmitted blood-borne infections to its recipient. The major globally prevalent transfusion transmitted infections are human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, syphilis and malaria parasite. We wanted to compare safety of blood among replacement and voluntary donations by comparing the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among them. METHODS All donors were screened by enzyme-linked immunoassay for five transfusion transmissible infectious agents - human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and syphilis by collecting plasma from the pilot tube attached to the blood bag. Malaria was tested from whole blood sample. RESULTS A total of 24,491 donors was included in the study. Among them 21,090 (86.11 %) were replacement and 3,401 (13.89 %) were voluntary donors. Out of 24,491 donors, 560 (2.29 %) units tested positive. Hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B surface antigen) is found to be the most prevalent transfusion transmitted infection among both replacement donations and voluntary donations. CONCLUSIONS There should be more voluntary donations to achieve safer blood transfusion practices as self-deferral by donors with high risk condition is the most effective way to reduce prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections. KEYWORDS Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay, Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis, Replacement Donors, Transfusion Transmitted Infections, Voluntary Donors