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Trends in serological markers of transfusion transmissible infections in blood donations at the Bamenda Hospital-based Blood Service, Cameroon

Transfus Clin Biol. 2021 Jun 5:S1246-7820(21)00082-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tracli.2021.05.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The rate and trend of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) in blood donations from 2012 to 2017 at the Bamenda Regional Hospital Blood Service (BRHBS), Cameroon was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A six-year retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the records of donors. Blood was screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Differences in seropositivity rates for the four TTIs were analyzed using Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test where appropriate. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the TTIs markers were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 12,115 blood donations was included in the study and of these, the overall seropositivity rate of the four conventional TTIs markers was 10.5% (n=1,273). Of the seropositive cases, 23.8% (n=303) showed reactivity with at least two of the markers combined. When the markers were assessed individually, HBsAg recorded the highest seropositivity rate (4.7%), followed by anti-HIV and anti-syphilis (2.2%), then anti-HCV (1.7%). A significant decrease in the trend of the combined serological markers, HBsAg and anti-syphilis was observed over the years (p≤0.05).

CONCLUSION: There is a decrease in seropositivity rates of TTIs markers in this blood service. Ongoing efforts toward the prevention of these infections is encouraged and should be intensified to improve blood safety.

PMID:34102320 | DOI:10.1016/j.tracli.2021.05.011

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