Impact of Donor History on the Risk of Transfusion-Related Infections

Transfusion-related infections are a severe threat to the safety of transfusing blood products internationally. Advances in screening procedures have not, nevertheless, rendered blood transfusion a risk-free procedure for transmitting infectious disease(s).

The objective of this study was to determine donors' histories that could influence the possibility of transfusion-related infections.

This was a cross-sectional study. Data for 108 donors were retrieved from donor medical records and donor screening forms. Variables were analyzed for their link with TRIs. The diagnosis of TRIs was established based on the results of a clinical examination and laboratory tests. Using descriptive statistics as well as chi-square tests and logistic regression, data were analyzed.

Of the total donor sample, 13.9% of donor blood units were found to be infected with TTI and were therefore not transfused to the patients; in these cases, 4.6% had hepatitis B infections, whereas 3.7% had HIV infections and 5.6% had malaria infections. Past donor experience and risky behavior, which include intravenous drug use and other risky sexual practices, show a significant association between the increased risk of TRIs (p < 0.05). The odds of transfusion-transmitted infections among repeat donors as compared to first-time donors were marginally high (p=0.04). These independent risk factors for transfusion-related infections were hepatitis B and HIV.

The current study calls for a deliberate consideration of donor history, especially previous donation records, medical conditions, and high-risk behaviors, in the prevention of transfusion-related infections.