Indu Pachampully Kumaran1, Meena Dharmadas2, Sasikala Nadanganan3, Sajith Vilambil4, Suchithra Erath Thadathil5
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B infection is a serious global public health problem and one among the
transfusion transmitted infections (TTI). The prevalence of hepatitis varies across
the world. There are several risk factors for HBV infection. We wanted to find out
the prevalence of HBV infection among the blood donors and its relevant risk
factors.
METHODS
This is a descriptive study conducted among healthy, voluntary and replacement
blood donors. A total of 2400 blood donors were selected for the study by systemic
random sampling method. Blood samples from these donors were tested for
detection of HBsAg through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to find
out prevalence of infection. Various risk factors were compared among the blood
donors for positive HBV infection. All statistical data were analysed using SPSS
software version 16.
RESULTS
Total prevalence of HBV infection among the individuals of the study population
was 0.45 %. When the risk factors for getting the HBV infection were analysed,
unvaccinated blood donors gave a prevalence of 0.6 % (P value 0.001). Prevalence
of HBV infection among blood donors with other risk factors were 0.63 % in first
time donors (P value 0.04), 7.3 % in replacement blood donors (P value 0.01),
0.97 % in low socioeconomic status (0.03). Where as prevalence of infection
among males was 0.49 % and females was 0.26 %. HBV infection among blood
donors who were single was 0.34 % compared to married as 0.52 %. Hence the
statistical analysis showed P value > 0.05, gender and marital status of the blood
donors in the study is not significant for getting HBV infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of HBV infection among blood donors was markedly less compared to
prevalence in south India which shows that donor selection criteria was
satisfactory to screen the blood donors during donor selection itself. In the study
HBV unvaccinated blood donors, first time donors, replacement donors, and
donors from low socioeconomic status were found to be significant risk factor to
get HBV infection.
