The risk of transfusion –transmissible hepatitis c infection among blood donors in sokoto, north western Nigeria

In this present study we investigated the prevalence of hepatitis C infection among 150 consecutively recruited blood donors aged 18 to 65 years and mean age 27.4 ± 6.6 years made up of 133 (86.7%) male and 17 (11.3%) females. Among the donors tested, 3(2%) were positive for hepatitis C. The prevalence of hepatitis C was compared based on the gender and ABO blood group of blood donors. HCV infection was significantly higher among male donors 3 (2%) compared to female donors (p=0.001). The prevalence of hepatitis C was significantly higher among blood group B donors 2(66.7%) followed by group O donors 1(33.3%) (p=0.01). The prevalence of hepatitis C was compared based on the age groups and marital status of blood donors. Hepatitis C infection was significantly higher among donors in the 18-28 years age group 2(66.7%) (p=0.001). Married donors 3(100%) had a higher hepatitis C prevalence compared to single donors. The prevalence of hepatitis C was compared based on the occupational group and type of blood donors. Hepatitis prevalence was significantly higher among farmers 2(66.7%) followed by traders 1 (33.7%) (p=0.001). Hepatitis C infection was significantly higher among family replacement donors 3(100%) compared to voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (p=0.001). This study demonstrates a substantial risk of transfusion-transmissible HCV infections in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. We recommend that effort be made to recruit and retain low risk voluntary non-remunerated donors. There is also the need to routinely screen all blood donors in the area for hepatitis C. We recommend that evidenced- based best practice of inclusion of nucleic acid testing in the donor screening menu be implemented to reduce the risk of transfusing HCV infected donor blood during the window phase of infection.