Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

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 Background and Objectives

 One of the suitable ways to find access to safe blood supply is to use regular donors as low-risk population in regard to blood-transmitted diseases. Thus, in this study, the population of regular donors of Arak city in the first six months of the year 1382 (2004) registered in the Recruitment Unit of Arak Blood Center were evaluated.

 Materials and Methods

 In this study, 3620 regular donors (37 percent of the whole donors) registered in the Recruitment Unit were selected as subjects they then were evaluated based on age, gender, marital status, education level, and job.

 Results

 89.6 and 10.4 percent of the donor population were male and female respectively 82.2 percent of the member regular donors were married and 17.8 single (P<0.01). 51.85 percent of the population acted as employees, laborers, and military staff all corsidered as wage-earning jobs. 34.4 percent have free jobs, are households and university students, and the remaining 4.75 percent act as soldiers, farmers, students, or are jobless (P<0.01). The higher percentage of member regular donors pertains to donors at the age group of 21-45.

 Conclusions

 In the present study, the male subjects at the age range of 21-45 being married, wage-earner with diploma degree or higher were considered to be the main stratum of regular blood donors. Therefore, through planning to encourage and attract the above stratum, it would be possible to raise the number of regular donors and help them maintain the donation trend. However, one should not overlook the female population and attempts should be made to increase the number of regular female donors by appropriate propaganda and promotion.

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  Key words: Regular donors, Gender, Marrital status, Age, Job, Education

 Abstract

 Background and Objectives

  Blood transmitted infections have always made problems in the use of blood and blood products. In this study, the prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV and relevant factors were evaluated among regular and non-regular donors in Arak Blood Center in the first six months of the year 1383 (2004).

  Materials and Methods

  11615 donors of Arak Blood Transfusion Center were selected. The required data were gathered by reviewing donor forms. Finaly, the subjects divided into regular and non-reguler donors according to demographic properties were compared. Results were analyzed based on Fisher Exact Test and Logistic Regression in spss software.

 Results

  40% of donors were regular and 60% non-regular. According to confirmed tests, prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV were 0.68% , 0.2% and 0% in blood donors. These fiqures were 0.1%, 0.02% and 0% in regular donors and 0.05%, 0.45% and 0% in non-regular donors respectively. 1.4% of all blood donations were discarded for being positive in Elisa tests this rate is 111 times higher among non-regular donors. In this study viral infections in non-regular donors had more prevalence (p<0.0001) prevalence of these infections in regular donors was higher among men and lower in employees (p<0.05) as tested by Elisa. The results for both groups of subjects were higher in mobile units (p<0.05). Prevalence of infections was lower among non-regular donors as appeared in confirmed tests in subjects with bachelor degree or higher (p<0.05).

 Conclusions

  Prevalence of viral infections among regular donors was much lower than non-regular donors. Proper awareness-raising of donors about viral diseases, criteria for blood donation, appropriate behavior for blood donation in order to promote regular donation are ways to decrease viral infections.

 Key words: Prevalence, HIV, HCV, HBV

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Major thalassemic and hemophilic patients in regular need of blood and blood products are prone to risk of aquiring infections such as hepatitis and AIDS. High prevalence of such viral factors has been reported all over the world. In this study, the prevalence rates of hepatitis B, C, HIV and relevant factors were evaluated among hemophilic and thalassemic patients in Markazi province in the year 2004.

 Materials and Methods

 In this descriptive study, 68 hemophilic and 97 thalassemic patients were selected. The necessary information through questionnaires was gathered and the subjects were tested for markers of HIVAb, HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, and HCVAb through the ELISA method. HCV positive cases were confirmed by RIBA method. The results were evaluated regarding risk factors and demographic characteristics. Results were analysed through chi-square, fisher exact, t-test and logestic regression in SPSS software .

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 Results

 In all of the patients, HBsAg and HIVAb were negative. The prevalence rate of positive HCVAb was 7.2% in the thalassemic and 36.7% in the hemophilic patients. None of the thalassemic and hemophilic patients who had received blood and blood products after implementation of the screening program showed hepatitis C. In thalassemic patients, positive HCVAb showed significant correlation with the age, blood transfusion duration, and the number of administered blood units. In hemophilic patients, positive markers of HBsAb and HBcAb had significant correlation with consumption duration of coagulation factors and age average of patients.

 Conclusions

 In this study, prevalence rates of hepatitis B and HIV were zero. In these patients, the prevalence rate of hepatitis C was higher especially in hemophilic patients and all of the positive cases were attributed to the period before 1996. The use of advanced methods, more sensitive tests, and virally inactivated factor concentrates are the ways of viral infection reduction in these patients.

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 Key words: Prevalence, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV