Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors and their notification: A study from North India

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion carries the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) if not properly screened. As per protocol blood donors who are found reactive for TTIs are requested to come for counseling and directed for further management. Many of them are either not interested or do not follow-up their visit to blood center. This study is undertaken to determine the rate of seroprevalence of TTIs and the attitude of reactive blood donors in response to post donation notification and counseling. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: This observational study considers the blood donations from January 2019 to April 2021. Blood donors with reactive test results identified by different TTIs markers were notified, and their response rates were evaluated. RESULTS: During this study, 8904 donations were recorded out of which 171 donors were found to be reactive (1.92%), only 142 donors were contacted (89.30%), and only 74 reactive donors could be counseled (52.11%). CONCLUSION: This study shows low prevalence of TTI reactivity among blood donors and recommends strengthening of donor notification and counseling practices in blood centers and raises the question of need for central notification system for the traceability of reactive blood donors to prevent the spread of TTIs in the community.