Abstract
Objective: We tried to provide an HIV-testing service for blood donors in order to avoid blood donations from those who were at high risk for HIV infection and came to donate for the sake of obtaining HIV test results.
Subject and Methods: We investigated the rate of donors who answered affirmatively to the HIV-risk question on donor interview form and that of the donors who called back after donation stating that he/she had HIV-risk behaviors. We tested blood specimens of those donors who wanted HIV test results at the Sapporo Odori Donation Room and induced them not to donate. Nucleic acid amplification tests and anti-HIV tests were carried out for those specimens. Those who showed positive results were to be called and notified.
Results: The rate of donors who affirmatively answered or made a call-back to the question of HIV-risk factors gradually increased especially after a uniform donor interview form was prepared. Initially 338 wanted HIV test results among 42, 929 prospective donors from April 2000 to March 2001. Among them 88 were recognized to have an HIV risk factor by interview, and 79 proceeded to HIV testing. None of them proved to be positive for HIV.
Conclusion: HIV test service in a blood center is feasible, but we could not show the effectiveness, probably because of small population under analysis and the low prevalence rate of HIV in Sapporo.
