RESUMO
A retrospective analysis of records of the donor population from 1st January 1995 to 31st December 1996 was performed at the department of blood services, with the aim of highlighting the benefits and risks of directed or replacement donations. Of a total of 18,254 donations, 8,059 units were collected in the year 1995, and 10,195 units were collected in the year 1996. Of these, 15,782 [86.5%] were voluntary donations and 2,472 [13.5%] were directed donations. 61.5% of our donors were Omani nationals and 38.5% were non-Omani donors. The male: female ratio was 9:1 in these two years. Donor selection criteria established by our standard operating procedures manual were followed. All donations were screened for transfusion transmissible diseases, besides ABO grouping and Rh typing. The results show that the department of blood services has received more donors [an increase of 26.5%] in 1996 as compared to 1995. It was found that the directed donations show a significantly higher percentage of positive tests for the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus [HBsAg] and antibody to hepatitis C virus [anti-HCV] than voluntary donations [5.9% vs 4.25%, P < 0.001]. This study discusses the benefits and risks of directed donations, and stresses the need to improve the voluntary donor base which is a healthy indicator of the attitude of the community towards the sick