Blood transfusion practices in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Bugando Medical Centre.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what proportion of blood transfusions given in Mwanza Region, Tanzania could be avoided.


METHODS
A total of 1029 patients who received a blood transfusion in one of eight hospitals were analysed. Two sets of criteria for avoidable blood transfusions were determined, on the basis of a literature review.


RESULTS
The following percentages of blood transfusions in five groups of patients were found to be avoidable: operated patients, 8-24%; pregnant women, 8-10%; children aged under 5 years, 31-52%; children aged 5-14 years, 23-25%; and adults, 16-25%. Overall, 23-39% of blood transfusions were avoidable. At least 75% of all avoidable blood transfusions were to children aged under 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The largest reduction of blood transfusions can be achieved in children aged under 5 years, especially in infants aged less than 1 year. Following this study, blood transfusion prescribers drew up provisional guidelines on blood transfusions, which have been introduced in all hospitals in Mwanza Region. An evaluation study has been carried out and is being analysed.
Gumodoka
B
B
Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Vos
J
J
Kigadye
F C
FC
van Asten
H
H
Dolmans
W M
WM
Borgdorff
M W
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000628:therapy; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013636:Tanzania; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy
D006454:Hemoglobins