title: Blood transfusion services for patients with sickle cell disease in Nigeria.
abstract: Safe, timely red blood cell transfusion saves lives and chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) prevents or limits morbidities such as stroke, therefore improving quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).
  
  
  
  This questionnaire-based study assessed the ability of sickle cell centers in Nigeria to provide safe blood to patients with SCD between March and August 2014.
  
  
  
  Out of the 73 hospitals contacted, responses were obtained from 31. Twenty four (78%) hospitals were unable to transfuse patients regularly due to blood scarcity. Packed red blood cells were available in 14 (45%), while only one provided leukocyte-depletion. Most centers assessed donor risk and screened for HIV in 30 (97%), hepatitis B in 31(100%) and hepatitis C in 27 (87%) hospitals. Extended phenotyping and alloantibody screening were not available in any center. A quarter of the hospitals could monitor iron overload, but only using serum ferritin. Access to iron chelators was limited and expensive. Seventeen (55%) tertiary hospitals offered CTT by top-up or manual exchange transfusion; previous stroke was the most common indication.
  
  
  
  Current efforts of Nigerian public hospitals to provide safe blood and CTT fall short of best practice. Provision of apheresis machines, improvement of voluntary non-remunerated donor drive, screening for red cell antigens and antibodies, and availability of iron chelators would significantly improve SCD care in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Ijeoma N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Diaku-Akinwumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Uthman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
authors.forename: Sani B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adegoke
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja.
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adeleke
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Katsina.
authors.forename: Oyebade
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adewoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Titilayo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Akinsegun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinbami
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
authors.forename: Norah O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Akinola
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Adebola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinsulie
authors.affiliation: Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinyoola
authors.affiliation: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aneke
authors.affiliation: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
authors.forename: Sani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awwalu
authors.affiliation: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
authors.forename: Ahmadu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babadoko
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: Biobele
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane.
authors.forename: Obuoha
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ejike
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
authors.forename: Ifeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Emodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Innocent
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Federal Medical Center, Gombe.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girei
authors.affiliation: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
authors.forename: Abdulaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kebbi.
authors.forename: Garba U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Kangiwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Center, Iddo-Ekiti.
authors.forename: Olubunmi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.affiliation: Massey Street Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mabogunje
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
authors.forename: Anazoeze J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Madu
authors.affiliation: Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Lagos.
authors.forename: Akeem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustapha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Uthman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndakotsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja.
authors.forename: Obiageli E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Nnodu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nwaneri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Friday
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Odey F
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Center, Keffi.
authors.forename: Chinatu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ohiaeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Rasaq
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olaosebikan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
authors.forename: Oladele S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Olatunya O
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital, Abuja.
authors.forename: Oluseyi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oniyangi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Center, Asaba.
authors.forename: Hyginus
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Opara
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
authors.forename: Ngozi I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Uthman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
authors.forename: Abubakar U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
authors.forename: Shehu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdullahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Center, Bida.
authors.forename: Abubakar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
authors.forename: Enobong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Utuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano.
authors.forename: Binta W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Jibir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kuwait University adekile@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: Adekunle D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Adekile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058731:Blood Safety; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Blood transfusion; Nigeria; Sickle cell disease