Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and HIV among Healthy Blood Donors at the Regional Blood Center, Quetta, Pakistan

Background: Blood transfusion, though life-saving, carries the potential risk of transmitting serious infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) are a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, where unsafe transfusion practices, limited screening infrastructure, and lack of awareness contribute to the spread. Regional data on the seroprevalence of these infections among healthy blood donors is crucial for guiding transfusion safety policies. Objective: To determine the frequency of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV infections among healthy blood donors at the Regional Blood Center (RBC) in Quetta, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over six months at the hematology section of a tertiary care hospital in Quetta. A total of 1,680 healthy voluntary and replacement blood donors aged 18 to 50 years were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Donors underwent a thorough clinical evaluation and provided informed consent. Blood samples were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies using the Wantai AiDTM ELISA kits, and analyzed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Socio-demographic and clinical data including age, sex, BMI, educational status, income, smoking status, and residence were collected through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among the 1,680 donors, the overall seroprevalence rates were estimated at 2.5% for HBV, 1.6% for HCV, and 0.3% for HIV. Male donors constituted the majority (approx. 85%), and infection rates were higher among donors from rural areas, individuals with no formal education, and those within lower income brackets. The prevalence of co-infection was negligible. Significant associations were observed between infection status and factors such as education level, monthly income, and smoking history (p < 0.05). No HIV cases were found among female donors, though their overall sample representation was small. Conclusion: The study revealed a considerable prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood donors in Quetta, while HIV infection was relatively rare. These findings highlight the need for stringent donor screening, continuous surveillance, and targeted public health interventions to reduce the burden of TTIs in Pakistan. Enhancing awareness and improving screening protocols at regional blood centers can significantly minimize the risk of transfusion-related infections, safeguarding both donors and recipients.