Abstract:
Background: Blood transfusion is an effective treatment for saving millions of lives, even though
transfusion-transmissible infections are the major problem. The major crucial issues related to blood
transfusion in the developing world, particularly Africa, are blood shortages and unsafe blood, which
all too frequently lead to serious health consequences The prevalence of transfusion transmissible
infections varies across different geographical populations.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections and associated factors
among blood donors at Woliso Blood Bank, South-West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2021.
Method: Across sectional study was conducted from November 1-30, 2021 on 317 voluntary blood
donors using a systematic sampling procedure A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to
collect data through face-to-face interview. About 5ml of blood sample was collected from the
collection bag of each participant and serum samples were analysed using ELISA. The collected data
were entered to Epi-Info 7 software. Then the data were export in to SPSS version 20 for analysis. A
binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associated factors. Multiple logistic
regression analysis was used to control confounding effects. Variables with a p-value below 0.2 at
bivariable logistic regression analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model
which was used to declare statistically significant associations at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: A total of 317 blood donors were included in the study from Woliso Blood bank. The overall
prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections was 9.5% with (95%CI: 6.3-12. 9%). Participants
with no formal education (AOR=4.84; 95%CI: 1.09-21.46), unprotected sexual intercourse with
multiple partners (AOR=4.77; 95%CI: 1.38-16.44) and participants with less frequency of blood
donation (AOR=2.85; 95%CI: 1.16-6.99) were predictors of transfusion transmissible infections.
Conclusion: The prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections was high in this study area.
Educational level, unprotected sexual intercourse with more partners and a number of blood donation
were found to be independent predictors for transfusion transmissible infections. Blood Banks and
Regional health bureaus should work on community mobilization and enhancing health promotion on
prevention and control by considering the identified associated factor
