[ diagnostic evaluation of Hb strip test and CuSo[4] in measurement of Hb compared with gold standard method in blood donors in Mashad]

Heamoglobin color scale [HCS] is a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method for screening blood donors before donation. We decided to carry out this study to compare the diagnostic value of Hb strip test and CuSo4 test with the gold standard method [cyan metheamolgobin]. In this cross-sectional study, 506 blood donors were selected. At first, the Hb level of skin puncture blood was measured by CuSo[4] method and Hb strip test. Then, venepuncture samples taken from all donors were measured with cyan metheamoglobin method. The acceptance criteria of Hb in strip test is the level higher than 14 g/dL and in cyan metheamoglobin the level higher than 12.5g/dL. Chi-square was performed for final data analysis using SPSS 13. Analysis of results showed that sensivity and specifity rates of Hb strip test with positive predictive value of 23.3% are 100% and 95.6%, respectively. In the CuSo[4] method sensivity and specifity were 100% and 95% with the reportedly positive predictive value of 21.8%. Comparison of Hb strip test and CuSo4 method with the gold standard test [cyan metheamoglobin] showed a significant difference [p< 0.005]. Cell counter results indicated that the level of Hb in 41 out of 506 blood donors was higher than 17 g/dL which is not countable in the Hb strip test. This study showed Hb strip test compaired with CuSo[4] method has a higher sensivity and specifity rate; thus, it can be used as a simple, reliable and inexpensive method

[Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation among Sistan and Baloochestan province blood donors about HIV/AIDS]

Transfusion transmitted HIV is an important issue in every transfusion center. Despite recent improvements in laboratory screening techniques and formulation of rigid standards for blood safety, the risk of HIVcontaminated blood products remains as a potential problem. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation among voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS. This is a cross-sectional study in which data were collected through questionnaires.We studied knowledge, attitude and behavior of 440 voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS in Sistan and Balouchestan province. Voluntary blood donors' knowledge and attitude were evaluated and their correlation with different variables were compared. The data were analyzed with Chi- Square, ANOVA, Kruscal Wallis and Spearmans rho using SPSS 14. Our results showed that the knowledge levels of 55% of voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS were good, 29.5% intermediate, and 15.5% poor. Seventy point one percent of population in the study had positive attitude, 56.9% had neutral attitude and 25.9% negative attitude about HIV/AIDS. The correlation between sex, marriage status, educational status, job, type of donation [voluntary or familial], times of donation [first, repeated and regular repeated] with knowledge and attitude was statistically significant. Relatively high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS especially in regular repeated donors can be due to acquired information during consultation sessions. Therefore, repeated and regular repeated donors can help improve the blood safety.These findings also highlight the importance of more accurate consultation and the provision of necessary training on HIV/AIDS to voluntary blood donors