Donor Hemovigilance: An Essential but Neglected Surveillance Procedure; A Single Center Study in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study is to identify the adverse reactions occurring during donation phase and the post-donation phase in whole blood donors.

Methodology: This study was performed at the Department of Hematology, Chughtai Institute of Pathology, Lahore from May 2022 till April 2023. All healthy donors fulfilling blood donation criteria according to AABB were included in the study. All donations were monitored and reactions occurring during pre-donation, donation and post-donation phases were noted. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 23.00. Mean ± SD was calculated for continuous variable. Frequency and percentage were calculated for categorical variables. Chi-square test was used to ascertain significance of categorical variables while Kruskal-Wallis was used for continuous variables. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to compare the pre and post donation vital signs. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: A total of 399 donors with mean age of 26.21 years, 335 (84.0%) male and 64 (16.0%) females were included in the study. A significant association of donor´s weight was seen with the occurrence of adverse reactions with a significant p-value. However, no significance with age, gender, or number of donations made was seen with the occurrence of any complication.

Conclusion: We conclude from our study that blood donation is a safe procedure however we need to come up with strategies to make donors more comfortable and make donation a pleasant experience for them so that a regular and persistent chain of blood donation can be continued.