Screening and donor awareness of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Globally, blood donations carry the risk of transmitting infectious diseases if not properly screened, necessitating rigorous protocols to detect transfusion-transmitted infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV. Our study focused on assessing the frequencies of HBV, HCV, and HIV, as well as donor awareness of these infections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This observational study, which was conducted over two months at Nowshera Medical College, involved 100 volunteer blood donors and used a close-ended questionnaire to gather data on both diagnostic results and awareness. The results indicated that HBV was present in 4% of the donors, HCV was present in 2%, and no HIV was detected. Awareness levels varied, with 52% of donors aware of HBV transmission through blood transfusions, 54% recognizing the lack of a vaccine for HCV, and 74% having a greater awareness of HIV affecting the immune system. This study highlights significant gaps in donor knowledge, especially regarding transmission and prevention. These findings underscore the need for enhanced screening and donor education to reduce the risk of infections from blood transfusions. Improved public health strategies and policies are necessary to ensure the safety of the blood supply, ultimately improving health outcomes in the region. This study advocates for targeted interventions that can significantly mitigate transfusion-related risks and foster a safer blood donation environment.