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Analysis of blood donors' characteristics and deferrals related to COVID-19 in Iran
Mohammad Hessam Rafiee1, Sedigheh Amini Kafiabad1, Mahtab Maghsudlu1
1Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, 14665-1157, Iran.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant drop in blood donations, primarily due to fewer volunteers, not increased deferrals for COVID-19 related reasons. This impacted first-time donors and specific demographics.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Blood Transfusion Services
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic prompted new deferral policies by the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO).
- Understanding the impact of these new deferrals on blood donation demographics and donor status is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze COVID-19-related deferrals among blood donors.
- To compare donor demographics and deferral patterns before and during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Data from Feb-Apr 2019 and 2020 were analyzed from the integrated blood donor database.
- COVID-19 deferral reasons were categorized (symptoms, exposure, travel, recovery).
- Z-test analysis and 95% confidence intervals were used for statistical comparison.
Main Results:
- Blood donations decreased by 26.09% in 2020 compared to 2019.
- Significant increases in deferrals were observed for first-time donors, females, and those aged 45-54 in 2020 (p < 0.05).
- 0.58% of volunteers were deferred due to COVID-19; deferral rates increased except for travel-related deferrals.
Conclusions:
- The primary cause of blood shortage was a reduction in donor numbers, not an increase in COVID-19 deferrals.
- Fewer volunteers presenting to blood transfusion centers significantly impacted donation rates.
- Demographic shifts in donors were observed during the pandemic period.
Background:
With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in 2019, called COVID-19, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) implemented the new deferrals. This study analyzed the COVID-19 deferrals of blood volunteers and compared the demographics, deferrals, and the donor status during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019.
Study Design And Methods:
Data were collected from the integrated blood donor database between Feb-Apr 2019 and 2020. Deferral reasons of COVID-19 were categorized as: those who have symptoms or live with a symptomatic family member, have direct exposure with a confirmed case, have travelled from the outbreak affected areas, and have fully recovered from confirmed COVID-19. The z-test analysis was used, and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated to compare the sample proportions.
Results:
The blood donations dropped to 26.09 % in 2020. The percent change of first-time blood donors, female donors, and donors within the age group of 45-54 years old was significantly greater in 2020 than the same time frame in 2019 (p < 0.05). The results showed that 0.58 % of volunteers were deferred from blood donation to avoid transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The rate of COVID-19 deferrals in all types except travelling to affected areas has increased in the second 30-day of the study (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The blood shortage that occurred during the COVID-19 outbreak was not due to increased deferral for COVID-19, but it was mostly due to a decrease in the number of volunteers who referred to BTCs.
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