Despite the procedures adopted for the selection of blood
donors, in Italy the HIV prevalence per 100 000 repeat tested donors (RTD) and
first-time tested donors (FTD) is high compared to most other Council of Europe
member states. To evaluate the effectiveness of predonation procedures, we
studied both the characteristics and the undisclosed risk behaviours of
HIV-positive donors.
We analysed the data from the Italian blood donor
surveillance system in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Based on the postdonation
interview, HIV-positive donors were classified by risk behaviour (heterosexual,
MSM, 'non-sexual' and 'not determined') and by time elapsed from risk behaviour
to donation. In Italy, the temporary deferral for exposure to behaviour at risk
is 4 months.
In the postdonation interview, 113 HIV-positive donors (32·4%),
who denied at-risk behaviours in the predonation selection, reported sexual
risk behaviours <4 months prior to donation; they were predominantly males
(84·1%) and RTD (63·7%). The main reason for not having reported the risk
behaviour in the predonation selection was 'not realizing having engaged in
at-risk behaviour' (66·4%).
These findings underline the need for more comprehensible
educational material, a clearer predonation questionnaire, and effective
information campaigns to improve the awareness of HIV sexual risk behaviours
among blood donors.
Via: http://ht.ly/SSbAu Purchase
full article at: http://goo.gl/MafAH4
By:
- 1National AIDS Unit, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
- 2National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
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