Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus , hepatitis C virus and syphilis infections among blood donors at Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Background. Transfusion-transmissible infectious agents such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis are among the greatest threats to blood safety for the recipient and pose a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among blood donors at Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A retrospective analysis of consecutive blood donors’ records covering the period between January 2003 and December 2007 was conducted. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections. Results. From the total of 6,361 consecutive blood donors, 607 (9.5%) had serological evidence of infection with at least one pathogen and 50 (0.8%) had multiple infections. The multiple infections were mostly HIV and syphilis 19 (38%), and HIV and HBV 17 (34%). The overall seroprevalence rate of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis was 3.8%, 4.7%, 0.7%, and 1.3%, respectively. The seropositivity of HIV was significantly increased among female blood donors (P<0.001), first time donors (P<0.001), housewives (P<0.001), merchants (P<0.001), soldiers (P=0.020), drivers (P=0.041) and carpenters (P=0.009). Similarly, the seroprevalence of syphilis was significantly increased among daily labourers (P=0.001) and carpenters (P=0.013), and the seropositivity of HBV was significantly increased among farmers (P=0.005) and first time donors (P<0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant association was observed between syphilis and HIV infections (P<0.001), and HCV and HIV infections (P=0.002). This study also revealed decreased trends of HIV, HCV and syphilis seroprevalence over the study period. Conclusion. The high prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors at Gondar University Teaching Hospital is alarming and calls for strict selection of blood donors and comprehensive screening of donors’ blood for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis.