Trends in the frequency of blood donors donating blood to be tested for HIV in Shiraz from 2004 to 2006.
A number of studies have indicated that some blood donors may donate blood in order to obtain an HIV test. These particular donors pose a serious hazard to the health care system by increasing the risk of HIV being transmitted through the donated blood. The study was undertaken to discover the effectiveness of new measures introduced to reduce the number of donors using blood donation centres to obtain an HIV test. The measures included increased educational information regarding the hazards of HIV transmission through donated blood, and the availability of special HIV clinics offering free services and anonymity. A survey of blood donors was undertaken over a period of 3 years, from 2004 to 2007. The cross-sectional survey involved 14 752 volunteers and all the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire which covered areas such as demographic characteristics and their motivation for donating blood. During the first year of the survey, it was discovered that 14. 2% of donors donated blood in order to be tested for HIV, and in the following 2 years it was 11. 2 and 9. 3%, respectively. A significant decrease was shown during the survey (P < 0. 05). The majority of these particular donors were found to be young, single, men with poor educational backgrounds and first-time blood donors. Over the period of this study, a reduction in the number of donors using blood donation centres in order to be tested for HIV was clearly evident. This positive downward trend may be attributed to the success of the new measures introduced.
Kasraian
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Iran Blood Transfusion Research Center, Shiraz Blood Transfusion Organization, Asiab Ghavami, Ghasrodasht Avenue, Shiraz, 719373488, Iran.