A major risk of blood transfusion is the acquisition of one or more of the transfusion transmissible infections. This risk correlates with the prevalence of markers of these infections in the donor population.
The aim of the study was therefore to determine the prevalence and trend of HBsAg, HIV and HCV among blood donors in Ilorin. The screening records of prospective, mainly family replacement donors from January 2011 to December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. All screenings were done by ELISA method using kits manufactured by Inteco Diagnostics, England, United Kingdom according to manufacturer’s instructions.
36889 prospective donors were screened over the five year period. Seroprevalence of HBsAg, HIV and HCV was 12.9%, 2.2% and 1.9% respectively. There was a gradual decline in the prevalence of HBsAg from 13.5% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2015, HIV prevalence similarly declined from 3.2% in 2011 to 1.2% 2015, HCV prevalence fluctuated throughout the 5 year period.
Although the prevalence of TTI among blood donors is generally on the decline, it is still substantially high especially that of HBV. This exposes transfused patients to a substantial risk. There is therefore the need to slow down on blood transfusion and adopt the practice of weighing the risks and benefits before decision to transfuse any patient.