Knowledge of HIV testing and attitudes towards blood donation at three blood centres in Brazil
Miranda, C.; Moreno, E.; Bruhn, R.; Larsen, N.M.; Wright, D.J.; Oliveira, C.D.L.; Carneiro-Proietti, A.B.F.; Loureiro, P.; de Almeida-Neto, C.; Custer, B.; Sabino, E.C.; Gonçalez, T.T.; Sabino, E.C.; de Almeida-Neto, C.; Mendrone, A.; Capuani, L.; Salles, N.; Horizonte, B.; de Freitas Carneiro-Proietti, A.B.; Proietti, F.A.; Di Lorenzo Oliveira, C.; Miranda, C.; Castro Moreno, E.; de Almeida Sampaio, D.; Carneiro Leao, S.A.; Lopes, M.I.; Loureiro, P.; Ferreira, J.E.; Oikawa, M.; Losco Takecian,
Vox Sanguinis 106(4): 344-353
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1423-0410 PMID: 24313562 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12114Document Number: 625208
Reducing risk of HIV window period transmission requires understanding of donor knowledge and attitudes related to HIV and risk factors. We conducted a survey of 7635 presenting blood donors at three Brazilian blood centres from 15 October through 20 November 2009. Participants completed a questionnaire on HIV knowledge and attitudes about blood donation. Six questions about blood testing and HIV were evaluated using maximum likelihood chi-square and logistic regression. Test seeking was classified in non-overlapping categories according to answers to one direct and two indirect questions. Overall, respondents were male (64%) repeat donors (67%) between 18 and 49 years old (91%). Nearly 60% believed blood centres use better HIV tests than other places; however, 42% were unaware of the HIV window period. Approximately 50% believed it was appropriate to donate to be tested for HIV, but 67% said it was not acceptable to donate with risk factors even if blood is tested. Logistic regression found that less education, Hemope-Recife blood centre, replacement, potential and self-disclosed test-seeking were associated with less HIV knowledge. HIV knowledge related to blood safety remains low among Brazilian blood donors. A subset finds it appropriate to be tested at blood centres and may be unaware of the HIV window period. These donations may impose a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply. Decreasing test-seeking and changing beliefs about the appropriateness of individuals with behavioural risk factors donating blood could reduce the risk of transfusing an infectious unit.
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