Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Seroprevalency of Transfusion Transmitted Infections in First-Time Volunteer and Replacement Donors in Tunisia

Ben Jemia R and Gouider E

Background: Replacement donors are considered as having a major risk of transmission of infections to recipients mainly by the World Health Organisation.

Study design and methods: Seroprevalency of HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis were determined in 19,783 whole blood donations collected in the Tunisian National Blood Transfusion Center during the year 2010 (12,968 (65.55%) replacement donations and 6815 (34.44%) voluntary blood donations). For HBV, HCV and syphilis, we performed a univariate analysis to determine whether age, sex and type of donation were risk factors, then multivariate logistic regression, to see if these factors were independent.

Results: Mean age of donors was 30.1 years (Replacement donors 34.5 years, First Time Non Remunerated Donors 34.5 years, p<0.001). The predominant age group was 30-39 years (35.51%) in replacement donors and 20-29 years (54.15%) in first time non remunerated donors. Male gender was significantly predominant (73.00% men vs. 27.00% women, p <10-6). There were significantly more men among replacement donors (82.27% vs. 55.38%, p <10-3).There were more women in the age groups 18-19 and 20-29 years. Only one HIV seropositive donation was noted in a male first time non remunerated donor aged 18. Replacement type of donation, male sex and age were three independent risk factors for the HBs Ag carriage. For anti-HCV antibodies and TPHA, only replacement type of donation and age were found out to be risk factors and only age was independent.

Conclusion: In Tunisia, replacement blood donors were at higher risk of infection transmission, but only for hepatitis B.