HIV-Sero- prevalence trend among blood donors in North East Ethiopia.

Bekele Sharew, Assefa Mulu, Brhanu Teka, Tigabu Tesfaye
1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia P.O. Box: 1145
2. Pharmacy department, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia P. O. Box: 1145
3. Dessie Blood Bank, Dessie, Ethiopia P. O. Box: 510

Emails:
Bekele Sharew: bsharew@gmail.com(Tel: +251911165431)
Assefa Mulu: mulubaye@gmail.com(Tel: +251910980410)
Brhanu Teka: btht65@gmail.com(Tel: +251913500065)
Tigabu Tesfaye: tigabuburuk22@gmail.com(Tel: +251913877533)

Abstract
Background:Although blood transfusion is one of the known therapeutic interventions that cuts across a number of clinical  disciplines. It is necessary to test all intending blood donors for HIV infection before donation. The aim of this study was to  determine the prevalence of HIV among blood donors at Dessie Blood Bank, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in Dessie Blood Bank through the year 2008- 2012. Sera from blood donors  were tested for the detection of Anti HIV by using 4th generation ELISA. Data were abstracted from records and analyzed using  Microsoft Excel sheet.

Results: From the total of 9384 screened blood samples collected, the prevalence of HIV in blood donors in the blood bank  was 5.1% in the five consecutive years but the trend of HIV infection has decreased from 2008(5.2%) to 2012 (2.3%). The age  groups 15-24 and 35-44 were the highest prevalence and the age group 45-54 was the lowest prevalence of HIV infection. The  prevalence of HIV among female (7.9%) was higher than in male donors (4.4%). The trend of HIV infection was decreasing for  both male and female blood donors.

Conclusion:The prevalence of HIV infections among blood donors is still high in this study setting, and needs constant monitoring to evaluate prevention and control strategies to reduce the burden of transfusion-transmissible HIV infections.

Keywords: Blood donor, HIV, seroprevalence, Ethiopia.