Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI), in first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis are on the rise and pose a threat to blood safety. OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence and demographic profiles of TTI's among first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was conducted between February to November 2013; 130 first time blood donors were tested for the presence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibodies and Treponema palidium antibodies using EIA based rapid immunochromatographic kits. Data analysis was done using SPSS with a level of significance of p<0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence rates to HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibody, were 6.2% (n=8), 10% (n=13) and 1.5% (n=2), there was 0% prevalence to Treponema palidium antibodies. Group specific prevalence rates revealed that educational status was associated with HBsAg positivity (p = 0.028), donors with a history of previous blood transfusion was also statistically associated with HIV sero-reactivity (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of HBsAg and HIV were observed, there is need to revise the donor testing algorithm in Nigeria in line with the prevalence of TTI's. We also advocate that a National surveillance system for TTI's be established through our National blood transfusion service (NBTS) program, a second serological test is also suggested to reduce the risk of occult HBV infection in Nigeria.

Seroprevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAG) in blood donors in a Southwestern Nigerian city.

Hepatitis B and C have been identified as major causes of Transfusion transmitted infections, in Nigeria. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in prospective blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria. 305 blood donors were screened for the presence of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV using a rapid immunochromatographic kit (DiaSpot®). Demographic information was also collected. Males constituted 96.4%, singles were the majority with 65%. Prevalence of HBsAg was 9.8%, HCV 1.3%, and dual positivity 0.3%. Prevalence of HBsAg and HCV among males was 10.2% and 1.4%, while females recorded 0.0% for HCV and HBsAg. Dual positivity was recorded in a male (0.33%). Analysis of the study variables revealed that only educational status was statistically associated with positivity of HBsAg [Formula: see text], HCV prevalence was highest in the illiterate group it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). We report the prevalence rates of anti-HCV Ab and HBsAg in blood donors from Ogun State, Nigeria. Our results reveals higher rate of HBsAg and evidence of co-infection with both viruses, illiteracy was the only variable associated with HBV infection. We advocate for the inclusion of anti-HBc or HBeAg in donor screening in our environment.