Syphilis and Its Seroprevalence in Blood Donors at Rural Area of Sindh

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a life saving procedure for millions of people across the globe, but is inevitably associated with transfusion transmissible infections. Sexually transmissible disease (STDs) especially syphilis has no adequate prevalence rate among blood donors.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to see to prevalence rate of syphilis in blood donors attending Blood Bank Indus Medical College Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan.

Methods and Materials: This study was conducted at Blood Bank and Department of Pathology, Indus Medical College Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan Sindh Pakistan, between the period of October 2016 and February 2018. A total of 2002 blood donations were received during this time. All patients were screened to see seropositivity of syphilis. SPSS 21.0 was used to measure the frequency and percentage etc.

Results: A total of blood donations were received in Blood Bank, Indus Medical College Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan was 2002, out of which 1961 (97.95%) were male, while 41 (2.04%) were female. All patients were screened for syphilis. A total prevalence of syphilis in blood donors was present in 49 patients (2.44%).

Conclusion: Prevalence of syphilis among blood donors was high. Screening of all blood donors is mandatory to prevent transmission transmissible infections in recipients to prevent early and late hazardous consequences of the disease.