Strategies used in Cameroon blood banks for HIV screening

Abstract

Background and objectivesThe Cameroon National Blood Transfusion Programme (NBTP) has set national standards and recommendations for HIV testing in blood banks, which involves the use of two highly sensitive 99·5% and specific 99·5% fourth‐generation enzyme immunoassays (EIA). The present study aimed at investigating HIV strategies, algorithms and assays currently used in Cameroonian blood banks, after which their level of compliance to blood safety recommendations would be assessed.Materials and methodsA cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted in 18 blood banks located in the ten regions of Cameroon during the year 2018. Data were collected through in‐person interview of blood bank heads, on the HIV testing practice. The information provided from the questionnaire‐based interview was crosschecked and completed through the exploitation of blood bank records.ResultsThis study showed that 12/18 blood banks had Hospital Blood Transfusion Hemovigelance Committee, while guidelines were available in 15/18 centres. According to testing algorithms, 22·2% used one RDT, 27·8% used two RDTs, 33·3% used one RDT combined with Ag/A EIA or CLIA (chemiluminescent immunoassay) and 16·7% used two RDT combined with Ag/Ab EIA/CLIA. Concerning testing kits, a total of 13 different kits were found among which 69·2% were WHO‐prequalified. A good level of compliance with the NBTP guideline was observed in 1/18.ConclusionThis study revealed a diversity of practice in HIV screening for blood transfusion in Cameroon. As fewer blood banks meet the required standards, these findings should serve as the footprint for the National Blood Transfusion Programme in implementing corrective actions nationwide.