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Accepted for/Published in: iProceedings

Date Submitted: Jan 18, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Jan 18, 2022 - Jan 19, 2022
Date Accepted: Jan 19, 2022
(closed for review but you can still tweet)

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Transfusion-Transmitted Infections Among Blood Donors at the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Sana’a, Yemen, 2017

Ghaleb Y, Alshahar A, Ali M, Al Amad M, Al Serouri A

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Transfusion-Transmitted Infections Among Blood Donors at the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Sana’a, Yemen, 2017

iProc 2022;8(1):e36573

DOI: 10.2196/36573

Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.

Transfusion Transmitted Infections: Prevalence and associated factors, National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Sana'a Capital, Yemen

  • Yasser Ghaleb; 
  • Aymn Alshahar; 
  • Majdi Ali; 
  • Mohammed Al Amad; 
  • Abdulwahed Al Serouri

ABSTRACT

Background:

Yemen is facing major challenges in ensuring the safety and availability of blood transfusion to meet the increased demand for blood transfusion due to the protracted conflict. However, Transfusion-transmissible infectious (TTIs) agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis and malaria remains the greatest threats for blood transfusion safety in such fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings.

Objective:

To determine the magnitude of TTIs among blood donors attending National Blood Transfusion and Research Center (NBTRC) and its associated factors.

Methods:

Cross- sectional study was conducted on 340 blood donors at the NBTRC during November and December 2017. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using a predesigned questionnaire that covered socio-demographic characteristics and possible TTIs associated factors. Blood samples were drawn and tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV antibodies, HIV1, 2 by using electrochemi-luminescence immunoassay technique and rapid immunochromato-graphic for screened syphilis and malaria antibodies.

Results:

The overall prevalence of TTIs was 8.8% where 2.5 %, 1.2%, 0.3%, 1.2%, 3.2% have HBV, HCV, HIV, syphilis and malaria respectively. HBV was significantly associated with history of jaundice and cupping. Furthermore, urethero-vaginal excretion was significantly associated with syphilis while malaria was significantly higher among donors from malaria endemic areas. Nearly three-fourth of donations were from replacement donors who had significantly higher TTIs prevalence than the voluntary donors: 10.4% vs. 3.3%, OR 3.4 (CI: 1.1-11.6).

Conclusions:

Although the prevalence of TTIs is low, it pose a serious risk for blood recipients especially in in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings where needs for blood transfusion are increasing and resources are limited. Therefore, using more sensitive screening methods and establishment of TTIs surveillance system should be considered. Efforts should be made to improve donor recruitment procedures and increase the proportion of regular and voluntary donation.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Ghaleb Y, Alshahar A, Ali M, Al Amad M, Al Serouri A

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Transfusion-Transmitted Infections Among Blood Donors at the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Sana’a, Yemen, 2017

iProc 2022;8(1):e36573

DOI: 10.2196/36573

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