Trends of HIV infection in the blood donors of Delhi.

Screening of HIV Infection was made mandatory for every unit of blood collected for transfusion in Delhi, India since 1989. Ten Zonal Blood Testing Centres have been identified which test all the blood collected for HIV by 29 blood blanks for the city. Reports from these testing centres have been analysed yearwise to find out the magnitude and trends of HIV infection in different groups of blood donors. Although initially there was no difference in HIV Sero-reactivity in different blood donors categories (between 1 & 2 per 1000 blood donors samples tested) but subsequently there is significant increase (5.24/1000 in 1992 & 7.48/1000 in 1993) in the HIV sero-reactivity in replacement donor category possibly because professional donors donate blood in the guise of being replacement donors. The fact which comes out clearly is that HIV infection is present in all sections of the population in Delhi and mandatory HIV Screening of all blood collected for transfusion is justified.

Distribution and trends of HIV infection in blood donors of four metropolitan cities.

Screening for HIV infection has been made mandatory for every unit of blood collected for transfusion in major cities of the country, having facilities for such screening. Results of HIV screening among blood donors received from the 4 Metropolitan cities of Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras have been analysed year wise from 1989 to 1991 to determine the magnitude and trends of HIV infection in different categories of blood donors and the seropositivity rates seems to be increasing over time. Universal coverage of HIV screening for donated blood has not been fully achieved and the justification and urgency for achieving complete coverage is highlighted.