Transfusion safety in francophone African countries: an analysis of strategies for the medical selection of blood donors.
BACKGROUND
The goal of selecting a healthy blood donor is to safeguard donors and reduce the risks of infections and immunologic complications for recipients.


METHODS
To evaluate the blood donor selection process, a survey was conducted in 28 blood transfusion centers located in 15 francophone African countries. Data collected included availability of blood products, risk factors for infection identified among blood donor candidates, the processing of the information collected before blood collection, the review process for the medical history of blood donor candidates, and deferral criteria for donor candidates.


RESULTS
During the year 2009, participating transfusion centers identified 366,924 blood donor candidates. A mean of 13% (range, 0%-36%) of the donor candidates were excluded based solely on their medical status. The main risk factors for blood-borne infections were having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with occasional partners, and religious scarification. Most transfusion centers collected this information verbally instead of having a written questionnaire. The topics least addressed were the possible complications relating to the donation, religious scarifications, and history of sickle cell anemia and hemorrhage. Only three centers recorded the temperature of the blood donors. The deferral criteria least reported were sickle cell anemia, piercing, scarification, and tattoo.


CONCLUSIONS
The medical selection process was not performed systemically and thoroughly enough, given the regional epidemiologic risks. It is essential to identify the risk factors specific to francophone African countries and modify the current medical history questionnaires to develop a more effective and relevant selection process.
Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Yaoundé, Cameroun. tayouclaude@yahoo.fr
Claude Tayou
CT
Tagny
Maxime Diané
MD
Kouao
Hamane
H
Touré
Jalel
J
Gargouri
Ahamada Said
AS
Fazul
Siaka
S
Ouattara
Ludovic
L
Anani
Habiba
H
Othmani
Lochina
L
Feteke
Honorine
H
Dahourou
Guy Olivier
GO
Mbensa
Simplice
S
Molé
Yacouba
Y
Nébié
Madeleine
M
Mbangue
Michel
M
Toukam
Mahommed Ould
MO
Boulahi
Lalatiana Valisoa
LV
Andriambelo
Olivat
O
Rakoto
Mounirou
M
Baby
Rakia
R
Yahaya
Amelia
A
Bokilo
Florent
F
Senyana
Dora
D
Mbanya
Caroline
C
Shiboski
Edward L
EL
Murphy
Jean Jacques
JJ
Lefrère
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male