LAUSR

Despite innovations and giant strides achieved in medicine, blood transfusion has continually remained an integral aspect of patient care and management. Currently, blood and blood products are part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) model list of Essential Medicine (EML). However, despite being a ‘life saver’, potential risks of transfusion of fatal infections (TTI) are associated with its use, hence this study to evaluate the trend of TTI in blood donors. In this study, 21,464 donors were screened for HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis between 2018 and 2019 via 4 th generation ELISA. Retrospective data was gotten from records. The results were read using a spectrophotometer. Optical Density was calculated for positive and negative controls and only results from runs in which controls had passed were used and released. Of the 21,464donors tested, 3818 (17%) were voluntary blood donors (VBD) and 17,646 (83%) were family replacement donors (FRP). Total number of TTI was 1928 (0.1%) of units donated. Of the screened units positive for TTI, HBV accounted for the highest prevalence 1031 (54%), HCV 498 (26%), HIV 246 (13%) and Syphilis 147 (8%). A much higher incidence of TTI sero-positivity was observed in FRP (85%) as compared with voluntary blood donors (15%). Cumulative discard rate from TTI was approximately 0.1%. Our results in this study showed that FRP are more likely to transmit TTI than VBD. Blood transfusion services should work more on replacing family replacement donors with voluntary donors. This can be achieved by reinforcing the culture of voluntary blood donation through the media, secondary and higher institutions as well as through advocacy. Indeed the WHO recommends 100% voluntary blood donations for all nations.