Transfusion Safety in Francophone African Countries: an Analysis of Strategies for the Medical Selection of Blood Donors

Overview

Journal Transfusion

Specialty Hematology

Date 2011 Oct 22

PMID 22014098

Citations 17

Authors

Claude Tayou Tagny

Maxime Diane Kouao

Hamane Toure

Jalel Gargouri

Ahamada Said Fazul

Siaka Ouattara

Ludovic Anani

Habiba Othmani

Lochina Feteke

Honorine Dahourou

Guy Olivier Mbensa

Simplice Mole

Yacouba Nebie

Madeleine Mbangue

Michel Toukam

Mahommed Ould Boulahi

Lalatiana Valisoa Andriambelo

Olivat Rakoto

Mounirou Baby

Rakia Yahaya

Amelia Bokilo

Florent Senyana

Dora Mbanya

Caroline Shiboski

Edward L Murphy

Jean Jacques Lefrere

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The goal of selecting a healthy blood donor is to safeguard donors and reduce the risks of infections and immunologic complications for recipients.

Study Design And Methods: To evaluate the blood donor selection process, a survey was conducted in 28 blood transfusion centers located in 15 francophone African countries. Data collected included availability of blood products, risk factors for infection identified among blood donor candidates, the processing of the information collected before blood collection, the review process for the medical history of blood donor candidates, and deferral criteria for donor candidates.

Results: During the year 2009, participating transfusion centers identified 366,924 blood donor candidates. A mean of 13% (range, 0%-36%) of the donor candidates were excluded based solely on their medical status. The main risk factors for blood-borne infections were having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with occasional partners, and religious scarification. Most transfusion centers collected this information verbally instead of having a written questionnaire. The topics least addressed were the possible complications relating to the donation, religious scarifications, and history of sickle cell anemia and hemorrhage. Only three centers recorded the temperature of the blood donors. The deferral criteria least reported were sickle cell anemia, piercing, scarification, and tattoo.

Conclusions: The medical selection process was not performed systemically and thoroughly enough, given the regional epidemiologic risks. It is essential to identify the risk factors specific to francophone African countries and modify the current medical history questionnaires to develop a more effective and relevant selection process.

Citing Articles

Trends in immunological markers of transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors in Mamfe District Hospital, Southwest Cameroon.

Ngomtcho S, Njike Ngo Biyong O, Ekwere T, Wandji Takemegni J, Mbah H, Makamdoum Bogne S BMC Infect Dis. 2024; 24(1):370.

PMID: 38566025 PMC: 10985861. DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09119-0.

Implementation of an Africa-specific donor health questionnaire for human immunodeficiency virus risk screening.

Tagny C, Ikomey G, Sack F, Achu C, Ndemanou M, Ninmou C Vox Sang. 2022; 117(7):920-928.

PMID: 35298840 PMC: 9308630. DOI: 10.1111/vox.13270.

Baseline assessment findings of the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion Step-Wise Accreditation Programme in 10 sub-Saharan African countries, 2016-2018.

Kanagasabai U, Qualls M, Shiraishi R, Eno L, Zungu I, Bust L Vox Sang. 2022; 117(6):839-846.

PMID: 35266552 PMC: 9314842. DOI: 10.1111/vox.13262.

The Practices of Anaesthesiologists in the Management of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Empirical Evidence from Cameroon.

Djomo Tamchom D, Kuitchet A, Ndikontar R, Nga Nomo S, Fouda H, Van Obbergh L Healthcare (Basel). 2021; 9(12).

PMID: 34946343 PMC: 8700951. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9121617.

Trends in serological markers of transfusion transmissible infections in blood donations at the Bamenda Hospital-based Blood Service, Cameroon.

Samje M, Fondoh V, Nguefack-Tsague G, Kamalieuk L, Mbanya D, Murphy E Transfus Clin Biol. 2021; 28(3):228-233.

PMID: 34102320 PMC: 8825896. DOI: 10.1016/j.tracli.2021.05.011.

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