Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Blood Donors Attending National Blood Transfusion and Research Center in Sana'a City, Yemen: Warning Sign
Tawfique K. Al-Zubiery
Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Allied and Medical Sciences, Taiz University, Al-Turbah Branch, Yemen
Hafez Alsumairy
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen
Talal Alharazi *
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen
Adel Al-Zubeiry
Department of Medical Oncology, King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Amar A. Jabir
Department of Microbiology, National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Yemen
Majedi A. saleh
Department of Medical Laboratory, National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Yemen
Manal J. Muckbil
Department of Medical Laboratory, National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Yemen
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors in Sana'a city: Yemen.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center in Sana'a City, Yemen; during the period from October 2016 to January 2017.
Methodology: We included 3606 subjects (99.2% men, 0.8% women; age range 16-45 years) who enrolled in this study. The estimation of the prevalence of anti-HIV antibody was done using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. Testing of blood donors specimens was performed at the laboratory virology unit.
Results: Out of 3606 blood donors who enrolled in this study, 0.6% donors were found to be reactive for the anti-HIV antibody, 82.0% of them were among blood donors residing in Sanaá Capital city. The prevalence rate of HIV was higher among students (0.9%), followed by military (0.8%), professional workers (0.6%), and handicrafts (0.4%). Half (50%) of HIV seropositive was detected among the age group 26-35 years old with prevalence rate 0.7%, followed by 16-25 and 36-45 years old with an account 0.6% and 0.5% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: A substantial percentage of HIV seroprevalence was detected among our Yemenis blood donors. A strict selection of blood donors with the concern on getting voluntary donations is necessary.
Keywords: Blood donors, EIA, HIV, Sana'a, Yemen