Demographic characteristics of transfusion-transmitted infections among blood donors in China

Demographic characteristic surveillance of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) among blood donors is crucial to formulating control strategies and preventing TTIs. This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics and social factors associated with TTIs among blood donors from 14 different blood centers or banks in China, covering almost the entire China.

Demographic information of 1976 blood donations were obtained from the donor databases of 14 blood centers. The results of the samples were confirmed by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL).

Of the 1976 donations, 928 were confirmed as TTI positive (HBV, 309; HCV, 162; HIV, 116; syphilis, 341), while 1048 tested negative. The differences in demographic distribution of TTI positive and negative donations regarding age, previous donation history, occupation, and education were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The factors mentioned above and marital status had associations with TTIs. Among the TTIs, only syphilis was related to ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.309, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.378-3.868, p = 0.001), and only HBV positivity was not associated with marital status (HBV, aOR: 0.933, 95% CI: 0.670-1.299, p = 0.681). Gender and education were independent predictors of HIV and syphilis infections (p < 0.05).

Demographic characteristics in this study included age, gender, previous donation history, ethnicity, marital status, occupation, and education, some of which were associated with TTIs. The most susceptible populations for TTIs were unmarried males and first-time donors aged between 26 and 55 years, and blood donors who were workers or company employees with low-educational level. Timely surveillance and updated demographic data on blood donors are critical for blood safety.