National disasters in Iran and blood donation: bam earthquake experience

Understanding the characteristics of blood donors donating in disasters may help predicting the blood safety and adequacy. We investigated the blood supply and safety during Bam earthquake in east of Iran. Both pre and post studies were performed on the donors without considering any control group in Shiraz blood donors after the earthquake and one month before it. We compared the demographic characteristics and prevalence of hepatitis B [HBV], hepatitis C [HCV] and HIV among them. Then, they were followed for 24 months to find out their return rate. The number of donors, especially first-time donors, was significantly increased after the earthquake. The prevalence rates of HBS Ag, HCV Ab, and HIV Ab were not significantly different. The return rate of the first time blood donors after the earthquake was lower than that of the first-time donors before it [P<0.05]. The number of blood donors after the earthquake increased. In spite of the increased rate of the first-time donations, the prevalence of HBS antigen, HCV antibody and HIV antibody did not change. It seems that disaster has only a short-term effect on the desire of donors for donation

[ study of seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus in healthy blood donors referring to Fars blood bank]

Human cytomegalovirus [HCMV] infection is most often asymptomatic in immuno-competent individuals and has lifelong latency especially in leukocytes. However, CMV is a major cause of infection and death in immune-compromised patients. Transfusion transmitted HCMV [TT-HCMV] can cause serious morbidity and mortality in certain patients who are at risk. In this study, we evaluated the risk of TT-HCMV infection in a seroprevalence survey of HCMV. In this descriptive cross-sectional study that was performed in a period of eight months, the blood samples were collected from 360 healthy blood donors referring to the Fars blood bank in Shiraz, Iran. The IgG and IgM antibodies to HCMV were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] test. Of 360 samples, IgG was detected in 356 sera [98.9%] samples and only 16 samples [4.4%] were IgM positive. No statistically significant association was observed between seropostivity rate, age, sex, number of children and educational level in the studied population, The high prevalence of HCMV observed in this study confirms the necessity of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HCMV infection in immune-compromised blood recipients in our community

[Survey the rate of blood donors loss due to unconfirmed Elisa test in blood transfusion organization in Fars provience]

Introduction: Blood donors which their Elisa test were positive and their result were not confirmed, caused problem for blood banks, Units were discarded and donors were permanently deferred

Objective: Determine the prevalence and demographic characteristic of blood donors with false positive results in Shiraz blood transfusion organization

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study that was done all blood donors who give blood in shiraz BTO from 1/1/2005 till 1/1/2007 then the rate of prevalence and demographic states of blood donors with false positive results in HBS, HCV, HIV was determined. Chi-square and T test was used for data analysis

Results: The prevalence of false positive result in blood donors was %2/17 that %80.4 of false positive results was due to hepatitis C, %5/2 due to hepatitis B , %14/2 due to HIV. The prevalent rate of false positive results was more in young , female , first time and low educational blood donors [P < 0/05]

Conclusion: Overall, false positive results caused to loss of 6135 Blood unit and permanent deferral of 5987 blood donors. Most of false positive results distributes in blood donor population. However this result was more in some blood donors with some demographic status, its better to use specific screening test for permanent the risk of blood donors

[ effect of Bam earthquake on blood supply and safety in Shiraz blood transfusion organization, winter 1382]

Understanding of characteristics of blood donors in time of crisis may help predicting of blood supply and safety in the emergency situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bam earthquake on blood's supply and safety in Shiraz blood transfusion organization [BTO] in 1382. This is a descriptive-analytical study that was done on all blood donors who referred to Shiraz BTO for blood donation after Bam earthquake. Demographic characteristics, the number of donations, and the prevalence of blood borne diseases related to the donation were compared before and after the earthquake. Using descriptive and analytical statistics [Chi-square], data were analyzed. During a couple of days in winter 1382 and following Bam earthquake, the number of blood donors who referred to BTO were1694, whereas, the numbers referred before the earthquake was 239. After earthquake the number of first time, single, female and low educational blood donors was more than normal condition [P<0.05]. The prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBS after earthquake was 0.001%, 0.02% and 0.01% and the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBS in normal population was 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.1% that was less than normal condition [P<0.05]. It seems that following the earthquake, the number of blood donations, their safety and supply were not face any significant problems

survey of iron status of shirazian blood donors using ferritin in 2005

Iron deficiency anemia is an important limiting factor for the number of donations in regular donors. Limited data is available on the iron status in Iranian donors. This study was conduced to evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency and its related factors in blood donors at Shiraz blood transfusion centre in 2005. This descriptive study was done on all blood donors who donated their blood at Shiraz BTO in 2005. We selected 200 first time blood donors [100 female and 100 male], 200 blood donors who had history of one blood donation every year for at least 3 years and 200 blood donors who had history of 3 to 4 times blood donation per year. Then we filled out a questionnaire and measured Hb, ferretin, MCV and MCHC. The results showed that reduction in iron stores was directly related to the number of donations. [P0.05]. In this study, 34% of female first time blood donors and 11.9% of male first time donors had decreased iron stores 34% of female first time blood donors, 47.9% of female blood donors with history of one blood donation a year and 77% of female blood donors who had history of 3 time blood donations in one year had decreased levels of iron. 11.9% of male first time blood donors, 14.5% of male blood donors who had history of one blood donation a year and 37.5% of male blood donors who had history of 3 blood donations every year had iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. It seems that blood donation affects the iron status and if not compensated, it may cause complication in blood donors. The prevalence of iron deficiency in female blood donors is more who therefore require more attention. Iron store levels are more related to number of blood donations per year rather than the number of blood donations in a lifetime. Therefore, these donors as a group require more attention

Prevalence of major transfusion-transmissible viral infections in blood donors attending fars blood transfusion center, Shiraz, Southern Iran: 2002-05

Evaluation of trends in the rate of infectious diseases of blood doRors is essential for monitoring safety of blood supply and effective screening of donors. Transfusion records of blood donors who attended the Center between 2002 and 2005 were reviewed for positive cases of HBS [by ELISA], H1V [by Western Blot] and HCV [by ELISA]. During 2002-05, 507,531 persons donated blood. The prevalence rates of HIV in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 were 0.019%, 0.008%, 0.007% and 0.009%, respectively; the respective values were 0.57%, 0.52%, 0.53% and 0.53%, for HBS; and, 0.19%, 0.13%, 0.09%, and 0.16%, for HCV. The prevalence of HIV was higher in 2002 [p<0.05]. Then, it decreased, but remained constant over the following years. The prevalence rates of HBS, HCV and HIV were significantly [P<0.05] higher in the first-time, male and married blood donors. The values did not correlated with age of blood donors. The prevalence of transfusion-transmissible viral infections in Shiraz blood donors is less than normal population and did not change over time. This might be due to effective donor selection and the lower prevalence rate of these infections in donor population

case - controlled study of factors contributing to vasovagal reactions in blood donors

Vasovagal reaction occurs in a small but significant number of blood donors. Vasovagal reactions may decrease return donation and disrupt blood collection activities. The purpose of this study was to define the contributing role of sex, age, weight, and blood pressure in vasovagal reactions. This case control study was performed on blood donors who referred to Shiraz Blood Transfusion Center in 2005. A questionnaire was filled out both for the blood donors who had developed vasovagal reactions [case group] and those who had not [control group] appearing prior and after the case group donors. Finally 1500 samples were randomly selected [500 cases and 1000 control]. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic pattern of blood donors, and signs and symptoms of vasovagal reactions. Chi-square was used for data analysis. The mean age and weight of the case group were 30.55 +/- 9.33 and 71.23 +/- 9.3 respectively. 72.6% of the case group were male and the average rate of blood donation attempts was 3.34 +/- 2.19. The mean age and weight of the control group were 35.27 +/- 4.72 and 78.61 +/- 12.77 respectively. 90.3% of the control group were male and the average rate of blood donation attempts was 6.58 +/- 7.08. The vasovagal reaction was higher in young, low weight, first time, female blood donors [p < 0.005]. It was also higher in fatigued, hungry and stressful blood donors [p < 0.005]. Vasovagal reaction is a multi-factorial process. These reactions might be prevented in high risk donors. Considering these risk factors, it is possible to increase repeat donation and donor safety

Prevalence of major transfusion transmitted viral infections [HCV, HBV, HIV] in Shiraz blood donors from 2000 to 2005

Evaluation of the prevalence trend of blood transfusion-transmitted infections is essential in monitoring blood supply safety, determining effectiveness of donor screening, and estimating residual risk of blood transfusion-transmitted infections. In this cross-sectional survey, data from blood donors who referred to Shiraz Blood Transfusion Center from 2000 till the end of 2005 were collected. Then, we reviewed the number of HBs cases detected by ELISA test, HIV by Western Blot test, and HCV by ELISA. Then, the demographic status, the incidence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV in the population of blood donors during these years were evaluated. During 2000 to 2005, 507531 donors embarked on blood donation in Fars Blood Transfusion Center. The prevalence rate of HIV between 1381 to 1385 were 0.019%, 0.008%, 0.007%, and 0.009%, the prevalence rate of HBs 0.57%, 0.52%, 0.53%, and 0.53%, and prevalence of HCV 0.19%, 0.13%, 0.09%, and 0.16% respectively. The prevalence rate of HIV grew in 2000 [p<0.05]; it then decreased and stayed stable afterwards. The prevalence rate of HCV had no significant change over time. The prevalence rate of HBs was lower in 2005 [p<0.05]. The prevalence rates of HBs, HCV, and HIV were higher among first-time, male, and married blood donors [p<0.05]. The prevalence rates of HBs, HCV, and HIV infection were not significantly correlated with age of blood donors [p>0.05]. If we notice the prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted viral infections in blood donors, we understand that the incidence rate of this infection in Shiraz blood donors is less than its rate among normal population and does not change over time; it may be attributed to effective donor screening procedures and the low prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted viral infections in donor population. If we compare the prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted viral infections in our blood donors with that of the other countries, we understand that the prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted viral infections in our country is low. It shows the safety of our blood supply

motivation survey of blood donation in Shiraz blood transfusion center

To prepare safe and adequate blood supply to meet patients' needs and ensure a sufficient number of regular blood donors, knowledge about factors encouraging people to donate blood regularly is essential. Considering its importance, we aimed to survey positive and negative motivation for blood donation. This survey was a cross-sectional research with a multiple questionnaire to study the positive and negative motivation toward blood donation in the first half of 13 83 [according to Iranian calendar] in Shiraz Blood Transfusion Center. This survey was conducted on subjects with positive motivation who referred to blood transfusion center at the mean age of 32.73 +/- 9.6. 92.1% of the subjects were male, and 7.9% female, and 74.3% married. Positive motivation for blood donation included altruistic causes [65.3%], check-up purposes [12.9%], income-earning goals [8.9%], the positive impact of donation on health [8.9%], and curiosity about blood donation [4%]. The mean age of the subjects with negative motivation was 25.22 +/- 7.54. 22.7% were male, 77.3% female, and 67.7% single. The most important negative motivation was dizziness and faint [45.5%], and lack of time [4.5%]. Negative motivation in women was statistically more significant than men [p<0.05]. In this study, the main positive motivation for blood donation came out of altruistic reasons, which are considered to be very positive. 12.9% of people just donated for check up that can endanger blood safety. The most important negative motivation was fear of dizziness and faint or disease as a result of donation. This can be removed through holding educational programs and providing sufficient care for donors