Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the prevalence and trends of transfusion transmissible infectious agents in our blood donors. The screening records of all blood donors from January 2006 to June 2009 were evaluated with respect to screening outcome for HBsAg, anti-HIV, anti-HCV and VDRL. Rapid test kits were used for all screening. Prevalence rates were calculated for the TTIs per hundred donations. Of the total 14,500 donors bled, 7.50% were positive for HBsAg, 0.96% for anti-HIV, 0.86% for anti-HCV, and 2.61% for VDRL. There was a gradual decline in the prevalence rate of HBsAg from 9.20% in 2006, to 8.37 in 2007 and 6.25% in 2008; with a rise in the first half of 2009 to 6.32%. Similarly, HIV prevalence declined from 1.44% in 2006 to 0.94% in 2007 and 0.66% in 2008 but rose to 0.96% in the first half of 2009. HCV prevalence fluctuated throughout the period under study. Prevalence of syphilis declined from 2.93% in 2008 to 1.92% in 2009. Twenty-seven of those rejected had multiple infections. TTIs are still prevalent in our blood donors and the observed multiple co-infection in some of our donor reinforces the common route of transmission of these TTIs.

Key words: Prevalence, transfusion transmissible infections, blood donors, teaching hospital, Nigeria.