Document 0908
 DOCN  M94A0908
 TI    Increased blood safety by screening blood donors.
 DT    9412
 AU    Mainuka P; Kataaha P; Kipp W; Uganda Blood Transfusion Services.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):253 (abstract no. PC0375). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371667
 AB    OBJECTIVE: A multistage screening programme of blood donors, consisting
       of an interview and a rapid clinical assessment was evaluated. This
       screening aimed at increasing the efficiency and reducing the costs of
       HIV testing of blood. METHODS: Records from district hospital and the
       regional blood bank in Fort Portal concerning the HIV status among blood
       donors were compared before and after the screening programme was
       introduced in February 1992. The screening process started with general
       group discussions to discourage persons with high risk of being HIV
       positive to present themselves for blood donation. Then a short
       individual interview followed to exclude asymptomatic persons, also
       considered to be at high risk for HIV infection. A rapid clinical
       assessment was finally carried out to identify persons with early AIDS
       symptoms. For HIV testing the indirect ELISA test was used. Quality
       control of ELISA testing was assured. RESULTS: The HIV prevalence of
       blood donors (n = 119) prior to the implementation of the programme was
       33%. After screening of blood donors started with the described method,
       HIV prevalence among donors (n = 3084) dropped markedly from 33% to 6%
       (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This model of screening blood
       donors proved to be successful in excluding persons at high risk for HIV
       and increased the safety of blood transfusions in Fort Portal hospital
       and the western region in Uganda. This is further demonstrated by the
       observation that in 369 persons, who were screened and repeatedly
       donated blood no seroconversion was found later. This method is cost
       effective, fast and does not need specialized training. It is applicable
       for other health care settings, especially in developing countries.
 DE    *Blood Donors  Cost-Benefit Analysis  Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
       Human  HIV Infections/DIAGNOSIS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL
       Interviews  Methods  Prevalence  Quality Control  Support, Non-U.S.
       Gov't  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).