Prevalence and trends of markers of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus in Delhi blood donors: a hospital based study.

Transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) are a major problem associated with blood transfusion practices. A 4-year retrospective study from 2002 to 2005 was conducted at the blood bank of Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated hospitals in New Delhi, India. Donors were evaluated for the prevalence of HCV, HBsAg and HIV. A total of 28,956 healthy blood donors were tested, out of which 28,805 (99.48%) were replacement donors and 151 (0.52%) were voluntary donors. The proportion of voluntary donors was significantly low (P<0.001). Males formed the bulk of the donor population (97.24%). The prevalence of HCV, HIV and HBsAg was 0.66% (ranging from 1.01% in 2002 to 0.29% in 2005), 0.56% (ranging from 0.70% in 2002 to 0.44% in 2005) and 2.23% (ranging from 2.42% in 2002 to 1.97% in 2005), respectively. For all three major TTIs, we found a decreasing trend in the prevalence over the past 4 years. The decreasing trend of HCV prevalence was significant (P<0.001), but the same was not true for HIV and HBsAg. We suggest the need to stress more stringent donor selection criteria with emphasis on non-remunerated voluntary donations to ensure a safer blood supply.