OID-02. Analysis of factors able to influence the bloodborne infections’ markers positivity rate

Summary

An improvement in blood bank infections control measures effectiveness is crucial for many organizations involved in blood banking and ones providing blood transfusions. In 2016-2020 there was a stable downward tendency in bloodborne infections’ markers positivity among blood donors. However, in 2021 the positivity rate increased from 0.76% to 0.99%. There are a lot of factors able to influence this process such as donation (primary donor or regular donation) and payment type (with or without compensation) etc. We have performed an analysis of factors able to influence bloodborne infections’ markers positivity rate.

Materials and methods

This study includes the data obtain from official statistical forms № 39 (Data on storage and processing of blood and its components) and № 64 (Data on donor blood and/or its components storage, processing, transportation and clinical use) filled in 2020-2021. The data obtained was analyzed using Student’s t-test, the confidence interval used to determine statistical significance was 5% (р ≤0.05).

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in blood and/or blood components donor rejections due to positive infections markers in 2021. These changes were evident while comparing whole rejected donor cohorts (12663 donors in 2021 vs. 9194 donors in 2020, р<0.01), as well as in subgroups of donors with positive infections markers (3616 positive for syphilis in 2020 vs. 3128 in 2020, р<0.01; 3068 positive for hepatitis B in 2021 vs. 1727 in 2020, р<0.01; 4950 positive for hepatitis C in 2021 vs. 3476 in 2020, р<0.01, and 1029 positive for HIV in 2020 vs. 863 in 2021, р=0.002). According to a number of studies the overall bloodborne infections markers positivity rate is higher among first-time blood and/or blood components donors. We have, therefore, supposed this growth to be related to higher number of first-time donors. However, the further analysis has revealed similar dynamics seen in 2021 among both first-time and regular donors for all infections markers. Neither was this dynamics caused by general donors’ number increase as proved by its detailed analysis. Rate of rejections for donors of blood and blood components due to positive infectious markers in 2016-2021 did not exceed 1-1.5% for distinct infectious markers revealed (hepatitis B, C, Syphilis, HIV infection). Although, there seems to be a correlation between total blood and/or blood components donors dynamics during the study period and number of donors rejected due to positive infections markers. This suggestion is, however, dismissed by more detailed analysis of year- to year infection testing since the incidence of positive donors also increased.

Conclusions

The documented data analysis for 2016-2021 period has demonstrated a significant increase in number of blood and/or blood components donors rejected due to positive infections markers in 2021. There was no correlation revealed, either with donation (primary donor or regular donation), or payment type (with or without compensation), or generally increased number of donors. The further detailed analysis is needed in order to determine a real cause for increase in bloodborne infections’ harboring rates.

Keywords

Blood donors, infections control, bloodborne infections.