Publication: Seroprevalence of anti HCV antibodies among blood donors in Kathmandu valley, Nepal
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Aims and objectives: To study the seroprevalence of anti HCV antibodies among Nepalese blood donors in relation to
their age, sex, type of donation and times of donation.
Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Central
Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS), Kathmandu, from December 1, 2006 to September 1, 2007. A total of 33,255 blood
donors were screened for anti HCV antibodies by ELISA. Donor’s information was collected from blood donor’s record
form and statistical analysis was done using the software ‘SPSS 11.5’ and ‘Winpepi ver. 3.8’.
Result: The seroprevalence of anti HCV antibodies in blood donors was 0.66% (95% CI= 0.58-0.76). Higher
seroprevalence was observed in male donors (0.7%, 95% CI= 0.6-0.8) than in female donors (0.4%, 95% CI= 0.2-0.6) (P
< 0.05). The seroprevalence was highest (0.82%) in the age group of 21-30 years and there was signi cantly decreasing
trends in seroprevalence with increasing age (P < 0.05). The highest seroprevalence among the male donors (0.88%)
was also observed in the age group of 21-30 years (P < 0.001). Among female donors the seroprevalence (0.47 %) was
highest in age group 41-50 years (P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti HCV was signi cantly higher in volunteer
donors (0.7%) than in replacement donors (0.4%) (P < 0.05). Similar seroprevalence of anti HCV was observed in rst
time (0.65%) and repeat blood donors (0.67%) (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of anti HCV antibodies among blood donors in this study was similar to the
seroprevalence reported for general population by other studies. Similar seroprevalence in rst time and repeat blood
donors as well as higher seroprevalence in volunteer donors than in replacement donors are the potential threats to safe
blood supply, which urges the need of more effective donor education and counselling of blood donors.
Key words: Seroprevalence, Anti HCV antibodies, Blood donors, Kathmandu valley, Nepal.
Description
Karki S1 , Ghimire P2 , Tiwari BR3, Rajkarnikar M4
1Central Department of Microbiology, 2Associate Professor, Central Department of Microbiology, 3 Microbiologist/Quality Officer, 4 Director, Nepal Red Cross Society, Central Blood Transfusion Service, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu