Prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis infection in first-time blood donors at queen savang vadhana memorial hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, during 2007-2011

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the prevalence of infectious disease markers in first time blood donors, at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Chonburi province in the East of Thailand during 2007 through 2011.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective data of first-time blood donors donated blood in the hospital during January 2007 to December 2011 was reviewed. All samples were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti- HIV, HIV Ag and Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR).

Results:

During the year 2007 through 2011, the total number of the first time blood donors was 5,715. Female and male were voluntary donors with a similar ratio, consisting of 52 % males and 48 % females of which 44.1% were young donors, age between 21-30 years old. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV, HIV Ag) and syphilis (RPR) were 3.3%, 0.9%, 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The prevalence of HBV infection in 2007 and 2008 was significantly higher than those of other years (p<0.05). There was no signifi cantly diff erence in the prevalence of HCV, HIV and syphilis infections. Male donors had higher prevalence of all markers than female. However, only HBV infection was significantly different (p<0.05). No blood donor was tested positivity for HIV Ag.

Conclusion:

These data revealed basic information on the prevalence of blood transmissible diseases in Chonburi province. It would be useful for strategic planning and giving education for prevention of blood and sexual transmitting diseases to blood donors, general population at all age group including school children.