Transfusion Transmissible Infections among Voluntary Blood Donors in Port-Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

A survey of Blood Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) among voluntary blood donors of different age groups was conducted between March 2017 and June 2018in Port-Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 200 voluntary blood donors consisting of 151(75.5%) males and 49(24.5%) females participated in the study. All the blood donors were within the ages of 18 to 65 years. Blood samples were taken from the veins of blood donors. The blood samples were screened in the laboratory for Venereal Diseases (VD), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) 1 and 2 using test Kits. Of the 200 blood donors involved, none was positive for HIV 1 and 2 infections. Only 2(1%) participants were positive for VDRL infections. A total of 8(4.0%) of the study participants were positive for HBsAg while 1(0.5%) was positive for HCV. The prevalence of TTIs was higher in females 6(3.0%) than in males 5(2.5%), but there was no significant differences in prevalence among genders (P> 0.05). Blood is still one of the main sources of transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), HCV and VD. Availability of safe blood for transfusion is necessary for the recuperation of the recipient. This can be achieved by vigorous screening of donors and donated bloods.