Implementation of sexual risk behavior donor screening in Canada

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Transfusion Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Canadian blood suppliers (Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec) transitioned from time-based deferrals for men who have sex with men to behavior-based screening.
• This policy change aimed to assess the impact on blood supply safety and adequacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of implementing sexual risk behavior screening on HIV rates in the Canadian blood supply.
• To assess the deferral rates and donor characteristics following the policy change.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a new screening process asking donors about new or multiple sexual partners and anal sex in the preceding three months.
• Monitored HIV donation rates for 18 months pre- and post-implementation.
• Interviewed HIV-positive blood donors and analyzed donor demographics and deferral characteristics.

Main Results:

• HIV donation rates remained stable post-implementation (0.27/100,000 pre vs. 0.28/100,000 post).
• 3.2% of donors reported risk factors, leading to a 0.17% deferral rate.
• Deferrals were most common among first-time and younger donors, with similar rates across genders.

Conclusions:

• The shift to sexual risk behavior screening did not alter HIV rates in the blood supply.
• The new screening approach resulted in a manageable deferral rate, indicating successful implementation.