Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections and associated factors among blood donors in Aden City, Yemen

This study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV ) and associated risk factors among blood donors in Aden city, Yemen. A systematic sample of 469 male blood donors was selected from those attending the national blood bank service in Aden between June and October 2007. Data were collected by questionnaire and blood samples collected. Of the 469 participants, 24 (5.1%) were positive for HBsAg and 6 (1.3%) for anti-HCV. In multivariate analysis, history of: blood transfusion (OR = 22.8), dental treatment (OR = 3.6), cupping (OR = 3.9) and malaria infection (OR = 6.8) were significantly associated with being positive for HBsAg. Those with history of blood donation were less likely to be positive for HBsAg (OR = 0.17). Those with a history of blood donation were significantly less likely to be positive for anti-HCV positivity (OR = 0.05), while those with history of blood transfusion were more likely to test positive (OR = 65.6). The prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood donors in Yemen is still high compared to many other countries.