[Iron deficency and anemia among donors in Kinshassa]

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the practice of blood transfusion is common with more than two hundred thousand one million blood donation per year has been made between 2007 and 2011. However, no report on iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia as a result of a donation blood in DS is available in this country. This study aimed to estimate the extend of iron deficiency, anemia and iron deficiency anemia in volunteer blood donors (DS) in the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) in Kinshasa, DRC.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in CNTS where Kinshasa volunteer blood donors were included. Socio demographic information and blood samples were collected. Hematological parameters and Serum ferritin was assessed using respectively standard colorimetric and ELISA techniques.

A total of 386 DS were included in this study. The prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia were respectively 63.2% (244/386) and 25.9% (100/386) of DS. Anemia was found in 36.5% (141/386) at the time of blood donation.

Anemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are highly prevalent among blood donors in Kinshasa, DRC. Hence the needs to review the screening tests for the selection of blood donors and also include serum ferritin measurement for the routine assessment of blood donors, especially among regular blood donors.