Donor Deferral Patterns at a Hospital-based Blood Bank in Saudi Arabia

Aims: This study analysed the blood donors deferral patterns at a government hospital blood bank in Saudi Arabia. The proportion and reasons of deferrals were also investigated.

Methodology: Retrospective review was done using donor records in a two-year period from January 2013 to December 2014. Information including age, type of donation, cause and type of deferral, physical and medical examination, and markers for transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used as appropriate. Distribution tables were developed to compare deferrals among different ages and to show the pattern that exists. Significant level was set at 5% (P <0.05).

Results: Of the 6,942 blood donors evaluated using the database, 6,644 (95.7%) were found fit for donation while 298 (4.3%) were deferred for various reasons with a mean age of 35.9 years. The majority of the deferred donors (28.8%) were between the ages of 21-30 years. Analysis of the deferrals showed that reactivity for the markers of TTIs was the primary reason of deferrals and likely the main cause for permanent deferrals (35.2%). Statistically, there was a significant difference among the various age groups of the deferred donor population.

Conclusion: The donor deferral rate in this study is comparably lower than in other regions of Saudi Arabia and some countries with a substantial variation in age groups among the deferred donors. Higher rate of temporary deferrals is evident among the young adult replacement donors old. Unnecessary deferrals observed in the study call for attention to their effect on donor retention.