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Risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors in Cameroon: evidence for the design of an Africa‐specific donor history questionnaire
Author(s) -
Tagny Claude T.,
NguefackTsague Georges,
Fopa Diderot,
Ashu Celestin,
Tante Estel,
Ngo Balogog Pauline,
Donfack Olivier,
Mbanya Dora,
Laperche Syria,
Murphy Edward
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.14140
Subject(s) - human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , blood donor , immunology , virology , family medicine , intensive care medicine , environmental health
BACKGROUND In sub‐Saharan Africa improving the deferral of at‐risk blood donors would be a cost‐effective approach to reducing transfusion‐transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. We performed a pilot case‐control study to identify the risk factors for HIV infection and to develop an adapted donor history questionnaire (DHQ) for sub‐Saharan Africa. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We recruited 137 HIV‐positive donors (cases) and 256 HIV‐negative donors (controls) and gathered risk factor data using audio computer‐assisted self‐interview. Variables with univariate associations were entered into a logistic regression model to assess independent associations. A scoring scheme to distinguish between HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative donors was developed using receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS We identified 16 risk factors including sex with sex worker, past history or treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and having a partner who used injected or noninjected illegal drugs. Two novel risks were related to local behavior: polygamy (odds ratio [OR], 22.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9‐86.7) and medical or grooming treatment on the street (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0‐3.0). Using the 16 selected items the mean scores (>100) were 82.6 ± 6.7 (range, 53.2‐95.1) and 85.1 ± 5.2 for HIV‐negative donors versus 77.9 ± 6.8 for HIV‐positive ones (p = 0.000). Donors who scored between 80 and 90 were more likely to be HIV negative than those who scored less (OR, 31.4; 95% CI, 3.1‐313.9). CONCLUSION We identified both typical and novel HIV risk factors among Cameroonian blood donors. An adapted DHQ and score that discriminate HIV‐negative donors may be an inexpensive means of reducing transfusion‐transmitted HIV through predonation screening.