Premium
SaBTO review of blood donor selection criteria related to sexual behaviour
Author(s) -
Watkins N. A.,
Brailsford S.,
Kelly D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2011.01115.x
Subject(s) - medicine , citation , library science , family medicine , computer science
On 7 November 2011, the permanent deferral from blood donation of men who have sex with men (MSM) will change in England, Scotland and Wales, to a 12-month deferral since last relevant sexual contact. This follows an evidence-based policy review by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) which concluded that the available evidence supported the introduction of a 12-month fixed period deferral (Donor Selection Criteria Review, 2011). The review found that the risks associated with a 12-month deferral of MSM were equivalent to a permanent deferral and the existing policy was inappropriate. In many countries, MSM are permanently deferred from donating blood. These policies were introduced as a response to the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the early 1980s. Since that time our understanding of the causative agent, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and our ability to detect it have improved significantly. It is accepted that policies relating to blood donation should be equitable and based on the latest available scientific evidence. In order to achieve this, regular reviews of blood donor selection policies are required. The UK policy on blood donation by MSM was last reviewed in 2006, but at that time data on compliance with the permanent deferral were not available. Recently, the findings of a study on the level of compliance with the permanent deferral and attitudes towards alternative policies have become available (Grenfell et al., 2011). This, together with new data for the residual risk of an infectious donation being released for transfusion under a number of deferral periods, prompted a further policy review. The findings of this review conducted by a Steering Group of SaBTO, have recently been published (SaBTO, 2011). The Steering Group was comprised of leading experts in the field, joined by patient groups and key stakeholders. Its remit was to ‘Review the evidence base for donor