First Report from Afghanistan on the Prevalence of Blood-Borne Infections: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study for an Epidemiological Assessment

Abstract

Background

The transfusion of blood and blood components has a significant role in healthcare services. However, it remains a possible risk factor for blood-borne infections. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of serological markers of common blood-borne infections among the blood donor population of Afghanistan.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study based on retrospectively collected data over a period of six years from 284 blood centres across 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Every blood donor’s sample was tested by rapid immunoassays for the serological markers of blood-borne infections namely hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), anti-human immunodeficiency virus 1/2 (anti-HIV1/2), and anti-Treponema pallidum (anti-TP).

Results

All blood donors during the study period were males. The majority of blood donations were from the family replacement category 56.93% (n = 544,568). The overall pooled prevalence of blood-borne infections was 4.36% with a comparatively higher percentage in family replacement donors 4.88%. The seropositivity for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV1/2, and anti-TP was 2.95%, 0.81%, 0.04%, and 0.54%, respectively.

Conclusion

Complete reliance on voluntary blood donors and screening with quality assured highly sensitive assay is recommended to ensure blood safety in the country.

Keywords:

• blood
• screening
• Afghanistan
• hepatitis
• HIV
• syphilis

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to confidentiality issues but are available from the corresponding author on request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was approved by the National Research Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Public Health and all study participants, ie, blood donors, provided a written consent. The study was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgments

Our entire team of Afghan National Blood Safety and Transfusion Service are appreciated for their hard working and cooperation in the compilation of data used in this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan.