Introduction: Blood transfusion has over the years saved millions of lives around the world. However, majority of developing countries are not in a position to meet the high demand for blood in its hospitals. A large number of donor deferrals are pre-donation, temporary deferrals being the most common with anemia as a leading cause. Anemia is a potentially treatable and preventable cause of temporary deferral It is, therefore imperative to study low hemoglobin (anemia) among deferred donor population to enable development of mitigation measures and ultimately increase blood supply. The main objective of this study was to evaluate anemia among deferred anemic prospective blood donors at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methodology: Descriptive cross–sectional study of 138 participants was assessed for anemia using point of care hemoglobin analyzer (Stat-Site^® M^Hgb). Three (3) ml EDTA venous blood sample was collected and analyzed for hemoglobin and red blood cells indices using automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex) and peripheral blood film.

Results: Low hemoglobin deferral accounted for 162 (10.1%) using point of care hemoglobin analyzer. Three types of anemia were identified among the participants; normocytic normochromic (72.7%), microcytic hypochromic (15.9%) and normocytic hypochromic (6.8%).

Conclusion: A signicant number 96 (69.6%) of prospective blood donors deferred of low Hb by POC analyzer were found not to be anemic using standard methods. This study recommends urgent remedies should be sought to address lose of prospective blood donors due to variation in hemoglobin screening by hemoglobin analyzers and review of donor hemoglobin cut-off value.

Keywords: Donor deferrals, hemoglobin, blood donors.

1. Mast, Alan E. “Low Hemoglobin Deferral in Blood Donors.” Transfusion Medicine Reviews, vol. 28, no. 1, 2014, pp. 18–22, doi:10.1016/j.tmrv.2013.11.001.
2. Gonçalez, Thelma T., et al. Blood Donors and Blood Collection. Vol. 53, no. March, 2013, pp. 531–38, doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03820.x.
3. Western, North, et al. Prevalence of Transfusion - Transmissible Hepatitis B Infection among Blood Donors in Sokoto ,. Vol. 1, no. 4, 2014, pp. 113–18.
4. Yip R, Johnson C, Dallman PR R, Johnson C, Dallman PR. Age-Related Changes in Labora- Tory Values Used in the Diagnosis of Anemia and Iron Deficiency. 2004, p. 39(3):427–436.
5. Fariba Birjandi, and Mahtab Maghsudlu MD?1 Abstract , ATrends of Venereal Infections among Healthy Blood Donors at Karachi Vol. 16, no. 11, 2013, p. 88601603.
6. Lynch, Sean. “Indicators of the Iron Status of Populations: Red Blood Cell Parameters.” Assessing the Iron Status of Populations, 2007, p. Annex 1-22.
7. “Blood Donor Selection: Guidelines on Assessing Donor Suitability for Blood Donation.” Blood Donor Selection: Guidelines on Assessing Donor Suitability for Blood Donation, 2012, doi:10.1183/1025448x.00045008.
8. Antwi-baffour, Samuel, et al. “Anemia in Prospective Blood Donors Deferred by the Copper Sulphate Technique of Hemoglobin Estimation.” BMC Hematology, BMC Hematology, 2015, pp. 1–6, doi:10.1186/s12878-015-0035-3.
9. Dutta, Arin, et al. “Preventing Transfusion- Transmissible Infections In Kenya Steps to Increase the Supply of Screened Blo od Blood Screening in Kenya Fully Screening the Current Blood Supply Increasing the Volume of Screened Blood.” E-Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness for Health, no. September, 2012.
10. Zou, Shimian, et al. Blood Donors and Blood Collection. Vol. 48, no. December, 2008, pp. 2531–39, doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01903.x.
11. Antwi-Baffour, Samuel, et al. “Anemia in Prospective Blood Donors Deferred by the Copper Sulphate Technique of Hemoglobin Estimation.” BMC Hematology, vol. 15, no. 1, BMC Hematology, 2015, pp. 1–6, doi:10.1186/s12878-015-0035-3.
12. Agbovi, K.K., Kolou, M., F´ ek´ et´ e, L., Haudrechy, D., North, M.L. & S´ egb´ ena, A. Y. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices about Blood Donation. A Sociological Study among the Population of Lom´ e in Togo. 2006, pp. 200–65.
13. Tufail, Samina, et al. Blood Donors Deferral- Causes. Vol. 17, no. 1, 2013, pp. 119–21.
14. Jimenez, Kristine, et al. Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia. Vol. 11, no. 4, 2015, pp. 22–30.
15. Kimani, D., et al. Blood Donors in Kenya : A Comparison of Voluntary and Family Replacement Donors Based on a Population-Based Survey. 2011, pp. 212–18, doi:10.1111/j.1423-0410.2010.01376.x.
16. De Kort, Wim, et al. “Blood Donor Selection in European Union Directives: Room for Improvement.” Blood Trans-fusion, 2016, doi:10.2450/2015.0148-15

Njenga Kariuki John

P.O. BOX 2268- 30100 Eldoret, Kenya

Contact No: +254728306923, Mob: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.