[Evaluation of the validity of two hemoglobinometry methods for measurement of hemoglobin levels in whole blood donors in Yazd, 2010-2011]

Hemoglobin screening methods before blood donation need to be not only simple, rapid and inexpensive but also sensitive for detection of both low and high hemoglobin levels to prevent false rejection of potential donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of two methods of hemoglobinometry in blood donors. In this cross sectional study, 198 blood donors were randomly selected. The hemoglobin levels of two blood samples taken by means of a single finger stick were determined by Hemocue 201+ and Hemocontrol and hemoglobin level of a venous blood sample was measured by Cobas hematology analyzer as standard method. Venous hemoglobin range of 12.5-17.9 g/dl was regarded as inclusion criteria for blood donation. The sensitivity, specificity and correlation between reference method and each of the hemoglobinometers were assessed. Data analysis was performed by means of correlation tests, regression analysis and paired t-test. Mean hemoglobin levels measured by Cobas, Hemocue and Hemocontrol were 15.9 +/-1.68, 16.28 +/-1.91 and 16.30 +/-196 g/dl, respectively. Hemoglobin levels measured by hemoglobinometers were higher than that measured by the standard reference. This difference was not significant in low hemoglobin levels, contrary to high hemoglobin levels. Each of the two methods showed significant correlation with standard method when hemoglobin levels were lower than normal limit. Increased hemoglobin levels led to decreased correlation coefficient which was not significant with hemoglobin levels higher than 18g/dl. Our study results showed that these heomoglobinometers were not valid for screening high hemoglobin levels in blood donors and a large number of potential donors would be falsely rejected. Further studies to find valid methods are recommended

Adverse effects in blood donors after whole blood donation

Most of blood donations are uneventful. However, adverse effects occur in a limited number of donors and have a negative impact on blood donor return rate and donor recruitment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence rate of vasovagal reactions and arm injuries during and after blood donation at Yazd Blood Transfusion Center. This cross sectional study was performed on 1000 randomly selected blood donors from August 2005 to January 2006 at Yazd Blood Transfusion Center. Blood donors were examined by physicians for vasovagal reactions during and one hour after blood donation. Donors with arm injuries were interviewed in person after 3 weeks. Data were analyzed statistically using Chi-square, ANOVA, Fischer exact test and T-test. The rate of vasovagal reactions was 2%. There was no severe reaction such as convulsion. The most common arm findings were pain [8.2%], bruise [7%] and hematoma [1.4%]. Sensory changes such as numbness and tingling [0.7%] had the least frequency. All donors with arm injuries recovered fully within a week. Repeat and regular blood donors had fewer vasovagal reactions than first time donors [p <0.05]. There was no significant correlation between arm injury and the frequency of blood donation. The incidence of vasovagal reactions in our study was lower than others. It might pertain to correct selection of donors by physicians, the presence of trained, expert personnel for blood collection, and care for donors

Comparison of the positive predicaive value of two enzyme immunoassay screening kits for hepatitis C in blood donors

Screening for hepatitis C antibodies using enzyme immunoassay kits is performed routinely in all blood donors. These kits are very sensitive but have different positive predicative values. The aim of this study was to compare the positive predicative value of two enzyme immunoassay screening kits for hepatitis C in blood donors. This cross sectional study was done at Yazd Blood Transfusion Center. Screening tests for 14132 blood donors using anti-HCV- EIA Avicenna and ORTHO HCV-3 ELISA kits were performed in 6 months and the results were compared. Repeatedly reactive results were confirmed by HCV BLOT3.0 [RIBA]. Negative results of RIBA were considered false positive. The frequency of false positive results of ORTHO kit was less than Avicenna [0.3% compared to 1.6%]. Repeatedly reactive results were confirmed by RIBA. Positive predicative value of ORTHO was higher than Avicenna [P<0.001]. Although both kits were highly sensitive, Avicenna kit showed more false positive results than ORTHO. The results suggest that kits with higher positive predicative value be used to decrease confirmation test costs and deferral rate of blood donors

[Knowledge, attitude and practice of women about blood donation]

The most important aim of all blood transfusion centers is to recruit blood donors from low risk groups of society for blood donation to be embarked on voluntarily and regularly. In the city of Yazd, women form only 5% of blood donors. The aim of this study was to assess barriers to blood donation by women and the level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation in the city of Yazd. In this cross sectional study, 1602 women were selected by clustering sampling method and interviewed using a specially formatted questionnaire. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and t-test. Level of knowledge was different across various groups. Illiterate women and housewives had the least level of knowledge. 15% of women had donated blood at least once in the past. The most important motivational factor was sense of moral duty with a spiritual reward and the most important barriers to blood donation were anemia, fear, lack of time, and difficulty in access to donation sites. A significant percentage of women had wrong beliefs about blood donation. There was a direct relationship between knowledge and practice [p=0.0]. The number of blood donations was correlated with increase in level of knowledge [p=0.0]. Increase in the level of knowledge of women and correction of wrong beliefs should be the topmost priority. Further studies are needed to determine whether addressing anemia and women's health can tend to increase the number of female blood donors

frequency of iron deficiency and the relevant factors in blood donors of Yazd Blood Center

Iron deficiency is a common problem in blood donors and iron deficiency anemia is an important factor limiting the number of donation attempts in regular donors. Limited data is available on the iron status of Iranian donors. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of iron deficiency and the relevant factors in donors at Yazd Blood Transfusion Center. 337 persons accepted for blood donation in 2003 were selected r and omly. Hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels were measured. Then, Chi-square, ANOVA, and Fisher exact test were used for data analysis. Results showed that the frequency of reduction in iron stores increased as the number of donations raised [p=0.0001]. Reduction in iron stores happened among all regular female donors [100%] and 48% of regular male blood donors. The frequency of iron deficiency in these two groups was 78% in the former and 28% in the latter while the frequency of iron deficiency anemia was 55.6% and 16% respectively. The frequency of iron deficiency raised in women who had donated only once [p<0.05], while it raised significantly only in male regular blood donors [p<0.05]. Increase in the number of donations in the absence of iron supplementation leads to iron deficiency anemia, thus resulting in loss of regular donors because of increased deferral rate. It is therefore recommended that blood donors be informed about iron deficiency and the use of iron supplementation for regular blood donors and women of childbearing age who donate a unit of blood