Donor deferral and blood-borne infections in blood donors of Tehran

Background and objectivesBlood transfusion organizations screen blood donors by conducting interviews and serological tests to ensure blood safety. This study was conducted to study donor deferral, blood-borne infections, and related variables in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center (TBTC) during an 8- month period in 2003. Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 34823 volunteer blood donors were selected randomly from all clients of Tehran Blood Transfusion Center over a period of 8 months (from June 2003 to January 2004). The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV was studied in 26645 eligible blood donors. Correlation of donor deferral with blood-borne infections, demographic (gender, age, marital status, job, educational level) traits and donation-related variables (regular donation) was studied. ResultsDeferral rate was 22.5% in the study period. Risk of blood transfusion transmitted diseases, disease/ exposure, medication, and other factors leading to blood deferral came out to happen in 43.36%, 34.02%, 13.91% and 15.42% of cases respectively. The age range less than 40, female gender, single status, low level education, non-regular donation and some job categories correlated with lower deferral rate. The prevalence rates of HBV, HCV and HIV were 0.6%, 0.2%, and 0.003%, respectively. Higher prevalence of HBV was significantly correlated with the age range over 40 years old (p=0.000), lower educational levels (p=0.002), and married status (p=0.001). HCV was not significantly correlated with any of these variables (p>0.05). ConclusionsThis study highlights that the recruitment of males, those with age range below 40, singles, those with higher educational level, and regular donors in Tehran will increase the supply of blood components. Moreover, recruitment of females, those with age range below 40, those with higher educational levels, and regular donors will provide safer blood products. Such studies are recommended for all blood transfusion centers in all provinces of Iran.