Sero-epidemiology of major blood-borne infections among first time blood donors in Edea, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Blood safety remains an issue of major concern in transfusion medicine in sub-Saharan Africa. Blood-borne agents such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum are among the greatest threats to blood safety for the recipient. This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence and risk factors of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infections among first-time blood donors of a Cameroonian hospital-based blood bank Methods & Materials We undertook a retrospective analysis of blood donor data recorded between December 2011 and May 2012 at the blood bank of the Edea's Regional Hospital. Antibodies to HIV types 1 and 2 were screened with the Determine and ImmunoComb tests. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to HCV were detected using DIASpot test strips. Syphilis was diagnosed using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) Results A total of 543 blood donors were enrolled, including 349 (64.3%) family replacement donors. One hundred and fifteen donors (21.2%) were infected with at least one pathogen. The overall seroprevalence rates of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis were 4.1%, 10.1%, 4.8%, and 5.7%, respectively. We found a total of 26 dual infections. The most common combinations were HBV–HCV and HBV–HIV. There was a significant association between HIV and HBV infections (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.46, 95% CI 1.29–9.39; p = 0.014), and between HBV and HCV infections (aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.02–10.12; p = 0.036). Compared to voluntary donors, family replacement donors were significantly more infected by at least one screened pathogen (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.14–2.88; p = 0.013), and more infected specifically by HIV (aOR 3.66, 95% CI 1.07–12.55; p = 0.039) and syphilis (aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.05–7.46; p = 0.039). Conclusion Our findings indicate that blood safety remains a major problem in Cameroon where hospital-based blood banks and family replacement donors are predominant. There is an urgent need for a national blood transfusion program advocating a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service based on the principles of voluntary regular non-remunerated blood donations.