Assessment of a self-deferral form for screening blood donors, Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand.

A self-deferral form has been used to screen Chiang Mai University Hospital blood donors and was improved in 2005. It has never been evaluated. The study aimed to assess the self-deferral form procedures in detecting infected donors. Sera from 5,083 donors, who passed the self-deferral screening form, were tested with the routine immuno-assays (serology) for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies, P24 antigen, HCV antibodies, HBV surface antigen, and syphilis. Antibody negative sera were also tested individually with the the Procleix Ultrio Assay for HIV-1 DNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA. The donors who had discrepant results between serology and NAT were evaluated with additional tests, including a more sensitive Alternative Nucleic Acid Test, AntiBcore IgM, AntiBcore IgG, HBsAg and Anti HBs. Among 5,083 donors, 331 (6.5%) had at least one positive marker. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the statistically significant factors (adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI) for infection were age 30 years or below [1.45 (1.03, 2.03)], male gender [2.73 (1.64, 4.56)], primary school or lower education [1.56 (1.09, 2.23)], first-time donation [1.82 (1.25, 2.67)], and frequent donation [0.80 (0.70, 0.92)]. The safest donors were females, older than 30 years, with an education more than primary school, and frequent donation. Because of missing responses to some sensitive questions, there remains a need for further improvement of the self-deferral form.

Appropriate cut-off level of BMI for screening in Thai adults.

OBJECTIVE: A cut-off level of Body Mass Index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors is controversial for its appropriateness in Asians. The present study aimed to determine the appropriate BMI cut-off level for Thai Adults. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 127 out of 387 teachers of at least 35 years of age from Phuket participated in the present study. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, and had physical examination and blood drawn for lipid profile. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, participants with BMI > or = 23 kg/m2 were 2.7 (95% CI; 1.2, 61), 5.4 (2.3, 12.6), 5.1 (1.5, 16.0), and 7.2 (1.5, 34.1) times more likely to have total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl, high-density-lipoprotein < 40 mg/dl, low-density-lipoprotein > or = 160 mg/dl, and total cholesterol to HDL ratio > 5.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For screening/education program, the BMI of 23 kg/m2 may be an appropriate cut-off level for being overweight. To support this finding, further studies in other regions and other populations of Thailand are needed.