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Background and Objectives Considering the importance of donor selection process in blood safety, this study aimed at comparison of frequency of intravenous drug use (IDU) among accepted HCV positive blood donors in different regions of Iran. Materials and Methods This cross sectional-analytical study was conducted on serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors who referred to blood transfusion centers for counseling all over the country during November 2015 to May 2017. All provinces were classified in three regions. IDU status and demographic specification of participants were analyzed using questionnaires. Chi square, fisher exact and ANOVA with STATA software version 13 were used for statistical analysis. Results Participants, according to the number of provinces, sample size and geographical proximity to three areas were classified including 76 from North; 105 from West-South and 90 from East- Center individuals with the mean ages of 37.73 ± 8.27, 38.83 ± 8.80 and 36.86 ± 8.63 and history of IDU of 37 (48.68%), 45 (42.86%) and 41 (45.56%), respectively. No significant differences between different regions of the country were found in the frequency of IDU voluntary blood donors with hepatitis C, age, gender, education status, marriage status (p > 0.05). Conclusions Approximately half of the voluntary blood donors with hepatitis C were IDUs. The frequency of IDU was similar among donors from different regions of Iran. Considering the fact that studied donors were found eligible in donor selection and donated the blood, though rejected during the screening phase, conducting research on the issue can increase the quality of blood donor selection and blood safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, to maintain the health of blood donors and recipients, defines the eligibility criteria for conducting blood donation process without which blood donors are deferred. Previous studies have shown the necessity of deferral criteria for blood safety. This study showed that deferral of these volunteers has improved the health of blood donors; it has been determined based on the frequency of both positive confirmatory screening test results in blood donors on their return and temporary deferral rates especially due to high risk behaviors. Materials and Methods The study was cross-sectional descriptive. Data collection was performed based on all the data of blood donation volunteers included in the NEGAREH software. The data were then analyzed by Chi-square and Excel software. Results Out of 6,877,627 volunteers during 2012-2014, 1,416,791 volunteers were deferred from blood donation. The prevalence of infectious markers in blood donors was 0.19% (10354 donations); the prevalence was 0.018% in 2,784,593 donations of donors on return (493 donors); and for 460,559 donations of deferrals it was 0.209% (975 donors). The prevalence of infectious markers for donations on return was 0.225% (211 donations) for risky behaviors and 0.205% (764 donations) for the other deferred donors. Conclusions It has been shown that the prevalence rate of the confirmed screening test results for Transfusion Transmitted Infections especially HBSAg is higher in repeat and regular donors once temporalily deferred (particularly for high risk behaviors) and returned for donation than those without the deferral record; it shows their deferral has been effective in improving blood safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The blood transfusion organization of Iran, based on international requirements, for the protection of blood donors and recipients, has established some criteria for the selection of donors. This manner inevitably rejects a number of donors from blood donations. This process leads to the promotion of blood safety, but at the same time it loses some donors and reduces the likelihood of a donor's return. This study intends to determine the rate of return of blood donors who have temporarily rejected from blood donation and to compare it with the rate of return of donors without any previous blood donation. Materials and Methods This study is a cross-sectional descriptive and data collection is performed based on the entire blood donation data registered in the donor information program of the IBTO. The data were analyzed by Excel & 2 test. Results A temporary rejection for blood donation in donors during the period from 2012 to the end of 2014 has reduced their return compared with those who did not have any rejection from 61.9% to 43.6%. For those who have been rejected from blood donations due to high-risk behaviors (421428 donated), the return rate was slightly down to 27.4% (115550 donors). Conclusions The result of this study showed that the rate of return of rejected donors was 1.5 times less than the return rate of accepted donors, and this difference was much lower for donors who were rejected due to high-risk behaviors: 1.8 times less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Confidential self-exclusion (CUE) system has been designed to enhance transfusion safety as an extra screening test to detect donors who donate their blood during window period. This study was designed to survey the efficacy of CUE option in Shiraz Blood Transfusion Center (southern Iran). Materials and Methods The present retrospective study was conducted in Shiraz Blood Transfusion Center from 2009- 2012. CUE is used for all individuals who refer for blood donation and prefer their blood not to be used if they have any doubt about their blood suitability for transfusion. The prevalence rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV were compared among blood donors who opted in and out of CUE The data were analyzed using t-test and proportion test in Med Calc-8. Results From all donors, 4551 (1.13%) opted for CUE. Self exclusion was more frequent among male, single, low-grade education donors, and donors with the history of previous donation (p < 0.05). The prevalence rate of HBV and HCV was higher among donors who opted CUE option (p < 0.05). The prevalence rate of HIV was not higher among donors who opted CUE option (p > 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of CUE were 4.4% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions In our study, the prevalence rate of HBV and HCV was higher among donors who opted CUE option. There is a need to review the process of CUE option and make some changes to prevent unreasonable CUE option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]