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Blood transfusion safety in the country of Georgia: collateral benefit from a national hepatitis C elimination program
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6 2020
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Source: Transfusion. 60(6):1243-1252
[PDF-506.92 KB]
Details:
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Alternative Title:Transfusion
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Personal Author:
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Description:Background:
In April 2015, the government of Georgia (country) initiated the world’s first national hepatitis C elimination program. An analysis of blood donor infectious screening data was conducted to inform a strategic plan to advance blood transfusion safety in Georgia.
Study design and methods:
Descriptive analysis of blood donation records (2015–2017) was performed to elucidate differences in demographics, donor type, remuneration status, and seroprevalence for infectious markers (hepatitis C virus antibody [anti-HCV], human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], hepatitis B virus surface antigen [HBsAg], and Treponema pallidum). For regression analysis, final models included all variables associated with the outcome in bivariate analysis (chi-square) with a p value of less than 0.05.
Results:
During 2015 to 2017, there were 251,428 donations in Georgia, representing 112,093 unique donors; 68.5% were from male donors, and 51.2% of donors were paid or replacement (friends or family of intended recipient). The overall seroprevalence significantly declined from 2015 to 2017 for anti-HCV (2.3%−1.4%), HBsAg (1.5%−1.1%), and T. pallidum (1.1%−0.7%) [p < 0.0001]; the decline was not significant for HIV (0.2%−0.1%). Only 41.0% of anti-HCV seropositive donors underwent additional testing to confirm viremia. Infectious marker seroprevalence varied by age, sex, and geography. In multivariable analysis, first-time and paid donor status were associated with seropositivity for all four infectious markers.
Conclusion:
A decline during the study period in infectious markers suggests improvement in blood safety in Georgia. Areas that need further improvement are donor recruitment, standardization of screening and diagnostic follow-up, quality assurance, and posttransfusion surveillance.
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Pubmed ID:32542715
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC7441849
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Funding:
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Volume:60
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Issue:6
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