Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Blood Donors at Madhya Pradesh, India: A Retrospective Study

Background: Viral hepatitis is a global health problem with 170 million Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) carriers worldwide, and 12-13 million HCV carriers in India. Unscreened blood and components play a significant role in transmission of HCV apart from reuse of injection needles, unsterilized surgical equipments and vertical transmission from mother to child.  Unsafe blood transfusion not only poses risk to patients, causing significant morbidity and mortality, but also adds to the economical burden on healthcare system. Aims and Objectives: Aim of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of HCV infection among the voluntary and relative donors over a period of 7 years at blood banks of Madhya Pradesh with collaboration of Madhya Pradesh State AIDS control Society (MPSACS) Bhopal, India from 2011 to 2017. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of blood donation at blood banks, of Madhya Pradesh, India.  Blood units were screened for TTIs from January 2011 To December 2017. HIV, HCV and HBV tests were done by ELISA. Data of HCV was collected and compared statistically by frequency distribution and percentage proportion. Chi Square (χ 2) test was used to determine the significant difference statistically. Results: The mean age of donors was 32.4 2 ± 8.63 years. Major contribution was from male donors (93.8%). Majority of donation was done voluntarily (87.3 %).  Out of the total 1,876,219 donors tested for TTIs over 7 years, 1980 (0.11%) were positive to anti HCV (p=.000001). Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection was 0.11% among blood donors of Madhya Pradesh, with geographic variation among districts. Aiming to provide safe blood to the patients, prevention of transmission of HCV by proper donor counseling and screening of the unit is required.