Reducing the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion by donor self-deferral.

A cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the validity of implementing a blood donor self-deferral form for reducing the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion. The self-deferral form which was given to all blood donors, included questions about HIV risk factors in the three month period prior to blood donation. Donors were asked to declare confidentially whether their blood was safe for transfusion or not. Blood was collected and examined for HIV antigen, anti-HIV antibodies, HBsAg and syphilis antibodies. All of the serological markers detected among high risk donors and general donors were compared and analysed by Yates corrected X2 test and one-tailed Fisher's exact test with a significance level of 0.05. There were 401 self-deferred high risk donors and 15,523 general donors. The HIV antigen was found as a single marker in only one male high risk individual. The prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies, HBsAg and syphilis antibodies among the general donors was 0.61%, 5.29% and 1.17%, respectively. The anti-HIV, HBsAg and syphilis antibodies in the high risk donors were 1.99%, 7.98% and 1.25%, respectively. In comparison with the general donors, the high risk donors demonstrated statistically significant higher prevalence rates of HIV antigen (p < 0.05), anti-HIV (p < 0.005) and HBsAg (p < 0.05). In conclusion, donor self-deferral is valid for reducing the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion and its implementation should be encouraged when recruiting blood donors.