Background. Infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are currently\r\nmajor public health problems. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted from January to June 2008 at the Blood Bank of the\r\nCentral Hospital, Yaound�´e (Cameroon). The objective was to study the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV and their coinfections\r\namong blood donors. Results. A total of 4650 donors were identified, and the sex ratio (male/female) was 14/1. The median\r\nage of donors was 28 years (range: 16 to 69 years). Among blood donors, HBV, HIV, and HCV infection prevalences were\r\n12.14% (n = 565) , 4.44% (n = 206), and 1.44% (n = 67), respectively. Coinfection with HIV and HBV was observed among\r\n0.77% donors, followed by hepatitis B and C co-infection (0.21%) and HIV and HCV coinfection (0.06%). Co-infection with\r\nHIV-HBV-HCV was encountered in 2 donors. The HIV, HBV, and HCV infections lead to a destruction of one out of six sets of\r\nblood collected. Conclusion. There is a need to review policies for blood collection from donors, by modifying the algorithm of\r\nblood donors testing. Pretesting potential donors using rapid tests could help to avoid collection and destruction of (infected)\r\nblood.
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