BACKGROUND: Reducing risk of HIV window period transmission requires understanding of donor knowledge and attitudes related to HIV and risk factors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of 7635 presenting blood donors at three Brazilian blood centres from 15 October through 20 November 2009. Participants completed a questionnaire on HIV knowledge and attitudes about blood donation. Six questions about blood testing and HIV were evaluated using maximum likelihood chi-square and logistic regression. Test seeking was classified in non-overlapping categories according to answers to one direct and two indirect questions. RESULTS: Overall, respondents were male (64%) repeat donors (67%) between 18 and 49 years old (91%). Nearly 60% believed blood centres use better HIV tests than other places; however, 42% were unaware of the HIV window period. Approximately 50% believed it was appropriate to donate to be tested for HIV, but 67% said it was not acceptable to donate with risk factors even if blood is tested. Logistic regression found that less education, Hemope-Recife blood centre, replacement, potential and self-disclosed test-seeking were associated with less HIV knowledge. CONCLUSION: HIV knowledge related to blood safety remains low among Brazilian blood donors. A subset finds it appropriate to be tested at blood centres and may be unaware of the HIV window period. These donations may impose a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply. Decreasing test-seeking and changing beliefs about the appropriateness of individuals with behavioural risk factors donating blood could reduce the risk of transfusing an infectious unit.
BACKGROUND: Reducing risk of HIV window period transmission requires understanding of donor knowledge and attitudes related to HIV and risk factors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of 7635 presenting blood donors at three Brazilian blood centres from 15 October through 20 November 2009. Participants completed a questionnaire on HIV knowledge and attitudes about blood donation. Six questions about blood testing and HIV were evaluated using maximum likelihood chi-square and logistic regression. Test seeking was classified in non-overlapping categories according to answers to one direct and two indirect questions. RESULTS: Overall, respondents were male (64%) repeat donors (67%) between 18 and 49 years old (91%). Nearly 60% believed blood centres use better HIV tests than other places; however, 42% were unaware of the HIV window period. Approximately 50% believed it was appropriate to donate to be tested for HIV, but 67% said it was not acceptable to donate with risk factors even if blood is tested. Logistic regression found that less education, Hemope-Recife blood centre, replacement, potential and self-disclosed test-seeking were associated with less HIV knowledge. CONCLUSION:HIV knowledge related to blood safety remains low among Brazilian blood donors. A subset finds it appropriate to be tested at blood centres and may be unaware of the HIV window period. These donations may impose a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply. Decreasing test-seeking and changing beliefs about the appropriateness of individuals with behavioural risk factors donating blood could reduce the risk of transfusing an infectious unit.
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: Claudia C Barreto; Ester C Sabino; Thelma T Gonçalez; Megan E Laycock; Brandee L Pappalardo; Nanci A Salles; David J Wright; Dalton F Chamone; Michael P Busch Journal: Transfusion Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Thelma T Goncalez; Ester C Sabino; Sanny Chen; Nanci Alves Salles; Dalton A F Chamone; Willi McFarland; Edward L Murphy Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2008-04-04
Authors: L Kouznetsov; A V Kuznetsov; T Ruzicka; U Matterne; R Wienecke; S A Zippel Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2009-05-27 Impact factor: 6.166
Authors: Elizabeth C Moreno; Roberta Bruhn; Ester C Sabino; Eduarda Bolina-Santos; Carolina Miranda; Anna Barbara Carneiro-Proietti; Maria Esther Lopes; Cesar de Almeida-Neto; Paula Loureiro; Ligia Capuani; Pedro L Takecian; Brian Custer; Thelma T Gonçalez Journal: Hematol Transfus Cell Ther Date: 2019-02-18