BACKGROUND: A significantly higher level of safety between nonremunerated volunteer and replacement donor blood is assumed. This is supported by global data without stratifying between genuine replacement and paid donors, for first-time or repeat volunteer, or according to age. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 2008, first-time volunteer and replacement donors were identified, and confirmed human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti-HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV)-positive screening results were collated. Data were analyzed according to age and sex between the two types of donors. RESULTS: In 6640 first-time volunteer and 4360 replacement donors, the prevalence of anti-HIV and HBsAg (1.03 and 13.8% vs. 1.1 and 14.9%, respectively) was not significantly different. Anti-HIV prevalence was higher in replacement donors less than age 20 than in first-time volunteers; the difference was not significant. HBsAg and anti-HIV confirmed-positive prevalence was significantly higher in first-time volunteer donors over age 20. CONCLUSION: In Kumasi, Ghana, viral safety of replacement and first-time volunteer donors was similar, constituting a single population of donors. Safety increment is provided by repeat donation applicable to either group, through different approaches. A blood unit from replacement donor costs half or less than that from a volunteer donor; similar studies conducted elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa may lead to changes in current strategies.
BACKGROUND: A significantly higher level of safety between nonremunerated volunteer and replacement donor blood is assumed. This is supported by global data without stratifying between genuine replacement and paid donors, for first-time or repeat volunteer, or according to age. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 2008, first-time volunteer and replacement donors were identified, and confirmed human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti-HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV)-positive screening results were collated. Data were analyzed according to age and sex between the two types of donors. RESULTS: In 6640 first-time volunteer and 4360 replacement donors, the prevalence of anti-HIV and HBsAg (1.03 and 13.8% vs. 1.1 and 14.9%, respectively) was not significantly different. Anti-HIV prevalence was higher in replacement donors less than age 20 than in first-time volunteers; the difference was not significant. HBsAg and anti-HIV confirmed-positive prevalence was significantly higher in first-time volunteer donors over age 20. CONCLUSION: In Kumasi, Ghana, viral safety of replacement and first-time volunteer donors was similar, constituting a single population of donors. Safety increment is provided by repeat donation applicable to either group, through different approaches. A blood unit from replacement donor costs half or less than that from a volunteer donor; similar studies conducted elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa may lead to changes in current strategies.
Authors: Ester C Sabino; Thelma T Gonçalez; Anna Bárbara Carneiro-Proietti; Moussa Sarr; João Eduardo Ferreira; Divaldo A Sampaio; Nanci A Salles; David J Wright; Brian Custer; Michael Busch Journal: Transfusion Date: 2011-10-07 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Fereydoun Ala; Jean-Pierre Allain; Imelda Bates; Kamel Boukef; Frank Boulton; James Brandful; Elizabeth M Dax; Magdy El Ekiaby; Albert Farrugia; Jed Gorlin; Oliver Hassall; Helen Lee; André Loua; Kathryn Maitland; Dora Mbanya; Zainab Mukhtar; William Murphy; Ohene Opare-Sem; Shirley Owusu-Ofori; Henk Reesink; David Roberts; Oscar Torres; Grace Totoe; Henrik Ullum; Silvano Wendel Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2012-09-11 Impact factor: 11.069