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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C in blood donations in Namibia

Authors: Rooyen T Mavenyengwa, Munyaradzi Mukesi, Israel Chipare, Esra Shoombe

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

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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.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C in blood donations in Namibia
Authors
Rooyen T Mavenyengwa
Munyaradzi Mukesi
Israel Chipare
Esra Shoombe
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-424

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