SEROPREVALENCE OF TRANSFUSION TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG VOLUNTARY AND REPLACEMENT DONORS IN THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SKIMS-A PROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL BASED STUDY

Abstract

Background: Transfusion transmitted infections (TTI’s) among blood donors creates a significant burden on the health care system which pose a threat to safe blood transfusion services.

Study design and Settings: Prospective observational study for one year from 01-07-2018 to 30-06-2019 in the blood bank of SKIMS.

Aims and Objectives:

       1. To find seroprevalence of Hepatitis (B&C), HIV and Syphilis in voluntary and replacement donors.

1. To know the socio-demographic profile of donors.
2. To compare seroprevalence of Hepatitis (B&C) , HIV and Syphilis among voluntary and replacement donors in various studies.

Materials and Methods: All donors who donated blood at SKIMS Blood bank as well as voluntary donation camps were included in the study. Data was collected from the registration records of SKIMS blood bank. Donors were selected on a pre-set criterion as per DGHS guidelines. During the study period, a total of 10200 donations were made, all of which were screened for TTI markers using commercially available ELISA kits (Third generation ELISA) . Syphilis was screened using rapid plasma regain (RPR) -carbon technique.

Results: Among the total 10200 donors, 40% were voluntary non-renumerated donors and 60% were replacement donors. The study showed male dominated donor pool (97%) as compared to female donors (03%) .70% donors were from rural areas as compared to urban areas (30%) . Overall seroprevalence of TTI’s was 0.37%. Out of all TTI’s, prevalence of HBV (0.18%) was highest, followed by HCV (0.15%) , HIV (0.019%) and Syphilis (0.009%) . Among HBsAg positive, 0.04% were voluntary and 0.13% were replacement donors, among HCV positive, 0.04% were voluntary and 0.10% were replacement donors, among HIV positive, 0.0% were voluntary and 0.019% were replacement donors, and among VDRL positive, 0.0% were voluntary and only 0.009% were replacement donors.

Conclusion: The prevalence of TTI’s was more in replacement donors as compared to voluntary donors. Thus, there is a need to focus on empowering health education of the population and assessing disparity in TTI burden and its associated factors to decrease the risk of TTI’s.