Trends in Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donors: Seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections in Malakand...

To evaluate trends in voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD) versus replacement donors, and to investigate the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) among healthy blood donors in Malakand Division, Pakistan.

Retrospective study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Health, Regional Blood Centre, Central Hospital Saidu Sharif, Swat, Pakistan, from 2021 to 2024.

This study analysed trends in VNRBD and replacement donors, along with the seroprevalence of TTIs (HCV, HBV, HIV, and Syphilis) using automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The Chi-square test in R-Studio was conducted to analyse trends in blood donor categories and TTIs over the four years.

A total of 94,716 healthy blood donors were screened during the study period. Male donors dominated both categories, with 80,105 (84.57%) in replacement and 14,526 (15.34%) in voluntary donations. Female participation remained minimal, with only 27 (0.03%) in replacement and 58 (0.06%) in voluntary donations. Most donors were in the age range of 18-33 years, totalling 71,107 (75.1%). Statistically significant changes (p <0.001) in voluntary and replacement donation trends were confirmed by the Chi-square test. A total of 2,292 (2.42%) TTIs were detected, including 873 (0.92%) cases of HCV, 637 (0.67%) cases of HBV, 220 (0.23%) cases of HIV, and 562 (0.59%) cases of syphilis.

The study revealed a 2.42% TTIs prevalence among 94,716 donors, with male dominance (84.57%) and low female participation (0.03%). Syphilis and HIV cases increased in 2024 (p <0.001), highlighting the need for targeted blood donation campaigns and improved screening to reduce TTIs in Pakistan.

Voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, Replacement blood donation, Transfusion-transmitted infections, HCV, HBV, HIV, Syphilis.