Profile of Blood Donors and Deferral Reasons in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

Aim: To assess the demographic profile of blood donors and determine the frequency and causes for deferral.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, Blood Centre at Dr. SMCSI medical college, Karakonam, Trivandrum. January 2018 to September 2022.

Methodology: This study was done to analyze the various causes of deferral and the profile of donors. 8064 donors from the study period were analyzed and their demographic profile was recorded. The deferred donors were analyzed according to their age, sex, type of donor, type of deferral and reasons for deferral.

Results: 8064 donors came to our center for donation of which 7682 (95.3%) were males and 382 (4.7%) were females. Majority of blood donors belonged to age group 18-25 years (50.6%). Replacement donors accounted for 6596 donors (81.8%). Voluntary donors were only 940 (11.7%). 1541 (19.1%) donors were deferred from donating. Out of these, 1186(77%) were replacement donors, 198(12.8%) were voluntary donors and 160(10.2%) were family donors. The most frequent causes of temporary deferrals: Hypertension 314(20.2%), Hypotension 82(5.3%), low hemoglobin 110(7.1%), On medication 104(6.7%), Tattoo/ ear piercing/smoking/pan chewing 154(10%), previous recent illness/surgery 190(12.3%) and alcoholism 46(3%). Permanent deferrals were done for only 68 donors (0.7%). They included 21 high risk donors and 47 donors who were serology positive.

Conclusion: Deferral pattern analysis can help the medical personnel in knowing the common causes of deferral and be more focused in screening. Determination of cause and rate donor deferral can help in preventing loss of precious blood and components.