Seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties in western Kenya

Abstract

ObjectiveSince the implementation of a series of blood donation safety improvements in Kenya, information about seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors especially in high HIV burden regions of Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties remain scanty. A cross-sectional study examining HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C virus sero-markers and associated determinants was conducted among voluntary blood donors. Their demographic characteristics and previous risk exposure were recorded in a pre-donation questionnaire, while blood samples collected were screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency viruses by ELISA and RPR (syphilis), then confirmed using CMIA.ResultsOverall TTIs seroprevalence was 114 (9.4%), distributed among HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis at 14 (1.15%), 42 (3.46%), 39 (3.21%) and 19 (1.56%), respectively, with co-infections of 3 (0.25%). There were no significant differences in proportions distributions among demographic variables. However, high risk sex was significantly associated with higher odds of HBV infections [> 1 partner vs. 0–1 partner; odd ratio (OR) 2.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.098–6.86; p = 0.046]. In conclusion, a substantial percentage of blood donors still harbor transfusion transmissible infections despite recent safety improvements with greater majority cases caused by HBV infections arising from previous exposure to high risk sex.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3276-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Adolescent Blood Donors within Selected Counties of Western Kenya

“…Donors who stated having been involved in high-risk sex activities such as having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourses without condom use, and sex in exchange for money were almost eight times more likely to test positive for HBsAg than those with no history of high-risk sex behavior, making high-risk sex behavior the most significant predictor of HBsAg positivity in the study. The findings here corroborate a previous local study on the seroprevalence and determinants of TTIs among voluntary blood donors in Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay counties [ 14 ] which reported a significant association between high-risk sex behavior and HBV infection. Likewise, this study finding is comparable to studies in other regions such as Nigeria and Egypt [ 15 – 17 ] that have also associated history of risky sexual behaviors such as sexual intercourses with no condom use and having sexual intercourses in exchange for money in the dynamics of the spread of HBV.…”

“…The number of reported intravenous drug users among participants in the current study could possibly go high if the barriers of stigma and criminalization are removed. Nevertheless, the finding in this current study compares similarly to a previous study in the same area [14] that reported no significant association between TTIs including HBV and previous exposure to illicit drug use. In the current study, history of injuries such as accidental needle sticks has recorded no significant association with HBV infection.…”

Seroprevalence and genotypic characterization of HBV among low risk voluntary blood donors in Nairobi, Kenya

“…This prevalence is lower compared to a 5.6% seroprevalence reported among the same group of people in Nakuru and Tenwek Mission hospital, Kenya, using ELISA testing [22] and similar to 2.4% reported among blood donors in Nyeri in 2016 on samples collected in 2014 using Murex HBsAg version 3 which is a rapid and sensitive enzyme immunoassay [23]. On other hand, this prevalence is however higher than the 0.4% reported in Eldoret in 2018 [24] and lower than the 3.46% described in Kisumu, Homabay and Siaya counties in 2018 [25]. These differences in seroprevalence could be attributed to variations in geographical locations and the sensitivity of the screening techniques used in the detection of the HBsAg for the different studies.…”

Blood Transfusion-Associated Infections in the Twenty-First Century: New Challenges

“…Higher prevalence of any TTI was reported in Eastern Ethiopia [11.5%] with the majority [94.5%] due to HBV [22]. In Western Kenya, the seroprevalence of the four TTI in voluntary blood donors was even higher at 9.4%, distributed among HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis at 1.15, 3.46, 3.21, and 1.56%, respectively [23]. Prospectively screened donors from 2005 to 2016 in Nigeria showed 14.…”