HIV Prevalence among Secondary School Student Blood Donors in Nairobi County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2018-07
Authors
Lorre, Moses C. O
Gicheru, M. M
Kabiru, E. W
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
Abstract
The Human Immune deficiency Virus and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome situation in Kenya has affected
blood collection in the country leading to a decline from 150,000 units to about 70,000 units annually, yet the demand for blood in
Kenya exceeds 300,000 units per year. Schools are a major source of blood in all counties of Kenya and more than 60% of blood in
Kenya is collected from secondary school students but the data on HIV prevalence in this category of donors is scarce. The objective of
this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV among secondary school student blood donors in Nairobi County and to determine
their knowledge on blood donation and blood transfusion practices. Four hundred and thirty four (434) student blood donors were
screened for anti-HIV antibodies. Two hundred and forty eight (248) of the students were male and 186 were females. The age of the
students ranged between 16–28 years with a mean age of 17.25 ±1.057 years. Mean age for male students was 18 ± 1.433 years, while the
mean age for the female students was 17 ± 1.057 years. Questionnaires to determine the students’ knowledge on blood donation and
blood transfusion practices were given to the students to fill before blood samples were collected from them by a qualified medical
laboratory professional. All blood samples collected were tested for HIV antibodies using Vironostika Uni-FormII Ag/Ab ELISA
method (Biomerieux, France) and confirmation done by Enzygnost HIV 1&2 4th generation ELISA test (Simens AG, Germany). Three
(3) (0.7%) out of the 434 donors were positive for HIV and 431 (99.3%) were negative. Of these, two (0.46%) were males and one
(0.23%) was a female. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 22. Probability (p) value < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant. The results showed a low prevalence of HIV among student blood donors in secondary schools compared to the general
population. The study also shows there is low knowledge on blood donation and blood transfusion practices among secondary school
student blood donors. Recommendation is made for strengthening the recruitment of secondary school students as voluntary
unremunerated blood donors as a more effective strategy to reducing the risk of obtaining HIV infe cted blood from donors. Extensive
and effective use of information education and communication materials to sensitize the secondary school student donor popula tion on
blood donations and blood transfusion practices is also recommended.
Description
A Research Article in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
Keywords
HIV, Donation, Blood donor, Transfusion, Prevalence
Citation
Lorre Moses C. O., Gicheru M. M. and KABIRU E, W (2017). HIV prevalence among Secondary School Student Blood Donors in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Science and Research (online: ISSN 2319-7064).