PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG THE INDIVIDUAL BLOOD GROUP DONOR ATTENDING ABDU GUSAU POLYTECHNIC CLINIC HOSPITAL T/MAFARA

ABSTRACT In Abdu Gusau Polytechnic few studies have explored frequency and risk factors predicting hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donors. In this study we determined the prevalence of HCV infection in blood donors from West Mexico. Potential risk factors, clinical, histological and virologic characteristics presented in this group were also evaluated. Methods: HCV antibodies were evaluated in 57 108 blood donors with commercial second-generation enzyme immunoassays. Positive results were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay. Performed on the blood before transfusion for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) by Blood Transfusion center and blood banks. Quality guaranteed screening of all donated blood for Transfusion-Transmitted Viruses Study (TTIs) for both hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis B infection (HCV), is recommended by the World Health Organisation for the provision of safe and efficacious blood and blood components (Biadgo et al.,2017). This includes the selection of eligible blood donors, the collection of blood, the processing and testing of the donated blood, the issuing of compatible blood, and safe administration of the blood to recipients. In response to this strategy, starting with identifying donor characteristics such as occupation, test seeking behavior, family history and type of donor. About a third of the world population has been infected with Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus at one point in their life (WHO, 2009).