Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C in blood donations in Namibia.
Loading...
Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Background: Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis,
hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are infections which are common in some communities in Southern Africa. It is important to screen blood donations for these infections. Methods: This is a retrospective study which involved reviewing of previous blood donation records for the year 2012 in Namibia. The records were analyzed to determine the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B and C among blood donations with regard to gender, age and geographical region of the donors.
Results: The findings indicated a significantly low prevalence of HIV, syphilis, HBsAg and anti-Hepatitis C among the blood donations. A low infection rate of 1.3% by any of the four tested TTIs was found among the blood donations given by the donor population in Namibia in 2012.
Conclusion: The blood donations given by the donor population in Namibia has a low infection rate with the HIV, syphilis, HBsAg and anti-HCV. A strict screening regime must continue to be used as the infections are still present albeit in small numbers.
Description
Keywords
Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Namibia, HIV - Namibia, Syphilis - Namibia, Hepatitis B - Namibia, Hepatitis C - Namibia, Blood donations - Namibia
Citation
Mavenyengwa, R. T., Mukesi, M., Chipare, I., & Shoombe, E. (2014). Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C in blood donations in Namibia. BMC Public Health, 14(424), 1-7.