Seroprevalence of selected transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors in Region 3, Philippines: A 5-year retrospective study.

Transfusion of blood is a life-saving intervention that saves many lives. Unsafe practices in blood donation and pre-transfusion testing place people's lives at risk of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). The study aims to determine the overall seroprevalence of the selected TTIs for the past 5 years (2013-2017) among blood donors from a hospital in Region 3, Philippines. The trend and distribution of the TTIs according to age group, sex, donor category, and number of donations were also determined. Data extracted include the age, sex, donor category, number of donations, and screening results of all donors from January 2013 to December 2017. The overall seroprevalence of the selected TTIs from over the 5-year period is 4.17%. The seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis from 2013 to 2017 are 2.87%, 0.48%, 0.10%, and 0.62%, respectively. The age group of 25 to 44 years old showed the highest rate of reactive donors. Also, higher rates of reactive donors are seen among male donors, replacement donors, and first-time donors. The overall seroprevalence of TTIs in the study locale is low and it shows a decreasing trend from 2013 to 2017. Donors who are 25 to 44 years old, males, replacement, and first-time donors showed highest seroprevalence rates of TTIs.