Risk behaviors among blood donors who give blood in order to be tested for HIV in Shiraz Blood Transfusion in 2003

Background and objectivesSome blood donors may donate blood for being informed of their HIV test results; such people are threats to blood and its derivatives. Materials and MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study using four choice questionnaires which were distributed among 20800 blood donors who had referred to Shiraz Blood Transfusion Organization. The sample was selected using systematic random sampling. Questionnaire included three parts: part one contained demographic characteristics of donors, part two reasons motivating them to donate blood, and three risk factor of HIV if donation occures for HIV checkup. Chi square and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. ResultsThe average age of donors was 34.46 ± 11.3. 87% of donors were male and 12.3% female; 51.8% were married and 48.2% single. 36.3% were first time blood donors and 63.7% had more than one time blood donation record; the average number of blood donation attempts among these subjects was 6.7 ± 3.2. 61% of them were tested for HIV in routine tests. Totally, 14.8% of these subjects had donated blood for HIV checkup. Blood donation for HIV checkup was more frequent in males, singles and first time donors (P<0.05). There was no correlation between occupation, education status, age and blood donation and HIV checkup (P>0.05). Risk factors of those who had donated blood for HIV tests were identified to be sexual contacts (38.3% of subjects), contacts with HIV suspicious people (18.7%), intravenous drug users (3.7%), and tatooing (2.8%). The rest 36.5 percent had no known risk factors. Conclusions14.8% donate blood for HIV checkup in this study and could threaten the blood supply. The most common risk factor in those who referred for HIV checkup was sexual contact with high-risk partners. Blood donors should receive suitable training for providing safe blood. To this end, they must feel accountable for their blood donation.