AEGiS-13IAC: A study on prevalence of syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV among the voluntary blood donors in Bangladesh.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

A study on prevalence of syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV among the voluntary blood donors in Bangladesh.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. WeOrA527)

Khan M, Nazrul I
M. Khan, 8/4 Eastern Plaza Hatirpool, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh, Tel.: +088 029 661 439, Fax: +088 028 669 34, E-mail: khanmanirul@hotmail.com

BACKGROUND: Bangladesh are considered to be a low prevalence area, all the determinants like high prevalence of STDs, existence number of commercial sex workers (CSW), migrant workers, increasing number of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and unscreened blood transfusion make it a fertile ground for rapid and widespread of hepatitis B & HIV transmission. This topic bears supreme importance since significant spreading of HIV by blood transfusion is suspected in Bangladesh.

METHODS: It was a descriptive type of cross sectional study. Four hundred voluntary blood donors were selected for the study with consent and it was unlinked.

RESULTS: Majority of the voluntary blood donors are in the 16-24 years age group (53%) and students (50%). Prevalence of hepatitis B and syphilis is 3.5% and 2.3% respectively. No HIV positive case was found. However, alarming number of intramuscular/intravenous drug users were reported particularly among the younger age group students. It is alarming to notice that about 9.8% of the blood donors had the history of intramuscular or intravenous drug abusers and are mostly among the 20-29 years age groups.

CONCLUSION: It is concluded that as prevalence of hepatitis B and syphilis among voluntary blood donors is very high, compulsory mass screening of donors before collection is mandatory. Intramuscular or intravenous drug abusers needs special attention to this group while planning intervention program, which warrant attention of the concerned authority. Education and awareness campaigns to estimate the magnitude of the prevailing situation as well as to the young generation to prevent them from HIV transmission and other diseases.

Keywords: AEGIS, Hepatitis B, Prevalence, Blood Donors, Syphilis, HIV Infections, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Prostitution, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, HIV Seropositivity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Syphilis Serodiagnosis, Blood Transfusion, Bangladesh, epidemiology, immunology
000709
WeOrA527