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Objective: This study was embarked on to investigate the pattern of blood collection and transfusion in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos between 2000 and 2005 in the face of the present human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. Methodology: Blood bank records of blood donors and transfusions were obtained. Comparison of the blood collected against the demand for each year studied was done. Records of pre donation screening for transfusion transmissible infections were also obtained. Results: A total of 21,123 units of whole blood all of which were homologous donations were collected. Approximately three thousand units were donated yearly. A total of 19,786 units were actually transfused. A steady increase in the demand for blood was observed. Mean percentage of seropositivity for Anti- HBsAg, HCV and HIV antibodies were 21, 7.3 and 6.9 respectively. There were no screenings for Syphilis during the period under review. Conclusion: We conclude that blood collection and transfusion in JUTH is on the increase with anti- HIV positivity still being high. There is therefore, an urgent need to further improve the safety of blood transfused through provision of appropriate screening methods, encouragement of autologous donations and ensuring good laboratory practice. |
