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Whole blood donation is generally a safe procedure, but sometimes adverse reactions of varying severity may occur during or at completion of blood donation process. The aim of the present study was to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events during blood donation. This retrospective study conducted from November 2011 to December 2012 at Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine GMC Jammu. All whole blood donations at our Department was analyzed. All adverse events occurring during or at end of donation were noted using standardized format. Overall 108 adverse events were reported in relation to 29,524 donations, resulting in overall adverse event rate of 0.365 %. Presyncopal reactions in other words vasovagal reactions of mild intensity, were the most commonly observed adverse reactions and accounted for approximately 58/108 (53.70 %) of all adverse reactions noted. Only 0.365 % of blood donations were complicated by adverse events and most of these events were presyncopal symptoms. Our study reinforces that blood donation is a very safe procedure which could be made even more event free by following certain friendly, reassuring and tactful practices.

It is well known that quite a large number of apparently healthy donors are not able to donate blood successfully because of varied reasons. These donors are deferred temporarily or permanently. The aim of the study was to analyze the Incidence of Blood Donor deferral and its various causes and use this information as a guide for promoting Voluntary Blood donation. All the Blood donors reporting at our Blood Bank in last 6 months period were analyzed retrospectively. Data of all the donors deferred due to various causes was analyzed at our Transfusion Medicine Centre. There were 7253 donors, of which 524 donors were deferred (7.22%) for various reasons. Of the 7253 donors registered for donation, females constituted only 8.6%. And deferral rate was about six times more for female (29.05%) compared to male (5.18%). The three most common reasons for deferral low hemoglobin levels, chronic diseases and medication. More studies should be done at state and national level so that enough data can be collected and national policies formulated and western parameters for deferral should not be followed as regional differences cause unnecessary deferrals of already limited donors. Moreover analysis of donor deferral pattern will help blood banks to formulate more focused donor screening approach.

Background: Rubella vaccination is not yet included in National Immunization Schedule in India. Serosurvey is frequently used to assess epidemiologic pattern of Rubella in a community. Serosurveys in different parts of India have found that 6-47% of women are susceptible for Rubella infection. The present serosurveillance was conducted in Jammu, India, in two public schools. Objective: To determine serological status of Rubella antibodies of school girls and assessment of immunogenicity and reactogenicity of Rubella immunization in seronegative girls. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted to determine Rubella serostatus in peripubertal schoolgirls aged 11-18 years and also to assess immunogenicity and safety of Rubella vaccine (R-Vac) of Serum Institute of India Ltd., Pune, in seronegative girls. For screening, pre-vaccination serum Rubella IgG antibodies were determined and to assess immunogenicity of the vaccine, post-vaccination IgG antibodies were compared with pre-vaccination levels. Safety assessment was done for a period of 8 weeks, post-vaccination. Results: A total of 90 (32.7%) seronegative girls were vaccinated. All girls (100%) became seropositive, post-vaccination. Clinically relevant and statistically significant increase in anti-Rubella IgG titres was observed. The adverse events were mild and self-limiting. Conclusions: R-Vac vaccine used in the study demonstrated an excellent safety and immunogenicity profile.

As the use of single donor apheresis platelets and plateletpheresis procedures done steadily increases in India, the plateletpheresis donors are at an increased risk of postpheresis anemia and thrombocytopenia. This study was planned in order to evaluate the effect of plateletpheresis on the hematological parameters in the local donor population and to evaluate the possibility of following the 2day deferral for repeat plateletpheresis. A total of 60 plateletpheresis procedures performed over a period of 1year with CS 3000 Plus Baxter Fenwal were evaluated. All the post-donation hematological parameters showed a significant decrease from the pre-donation values (p

Aims: In this study we have evaluated the various adverse reactions related to transfusion occurring in our institution as a pilot institutional effort toward a hemovigilance program. This study will also help in understanding the problems faced by blood banks/Transfusion Medicine departments in implementing an effective hemovigilance program. Materials and Methods: All the adverse reactions related to transfusion of whole blood and its components in various clinical specialties were studied for a period of 1 year. Any transfusion-related adverse event was worked up in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and departmental standard operating procedures. Results: During the study period from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012, 45812 components were issued [30939 WB/PRBC; 12704 fresh frozen plasma (FFP); 2169 platelets]. Risk estimation per 1000 units of red cells (WB/PRBC) transfused was estimated to be: 0.8 for febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR), 0.7 for allergic reaction, 0.19 for acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AcHTR), 0.002 for anaphylactoid reactions, 0.1 for bacterial sepsis, and 0.06 for hypervolemia and hypocalcemia. 0.09 is the risk for delayed transfusion reaction and 0.03 is the risk for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Risk estimate per 1,000 units of platelets transfused was estimated to be 1.38 for FNHTR, 1.18 for allergic reaction, and 1 in case of bacterial sepsis. Risk estimation per 1,000 units of FFP was estimated to be 0.15 for FNHTR and 0.2 for allergic reactions. Conclusions: Factors such as clerical checks at various levels, improvement in blood storage conditions outside blood banks, leukodepletion, better inventory management, careful donor screening, bedside monitoring of transfusion, and documentation of adverse events may decrease transfusion-related adverse events. Better coordination between transfusion specialists and various clinical specialties is the need of the hour and it will help in making the whole transfusion chain safe and effective. There is a need for a hemovigilance program at the national level so that true incidence and the spectrum of adverse events due to transfusion are known and policies formulated to minimize the risks associated with it.

Background: To achieve the target goal of 100% Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation in India, factors influencing the blood donation decision needs to be investigated. These factors influence the donation efficiency, safety, retention, collection number and diversity of the donor pool. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the factors responsible for donating blood and the factors responsible for not donating blood among the youth of Jammu City, India. Materials and Methods: A preformed donor questionnaire was distributed among all the students with questions regarding earlier blood donations and its experience, reasons for donating blood and the reasons for not donating blood. Results: Out of the total study population, 13.95% of students were blood donors. Main reasons for blood donation were altruism, sense of social responsibility and for helping friends and relatives. Main reasons for not donating blood were fear of needle/ fear of sight of blood, fear of illness / ill effects, objection from elders and never been asked for Blood Donation. Conclusions: Fear of needle, objection from elders, transmission of HIV, blood donation leads to weight changes and misuse of blood in hospital are the significant inhibitors among females while never been asked for blood donation, transmission of HIV and misuse of blood are the factors that significantly inhibit the blood donation attitude among the very young population (18 – 20 years). To increase the blood donation, younger population must be counselled so that all the myths and the false beliefs regarding blood donation can be mitigated.

Background: A voluntary non-remunerated blood donor forms the firm foundation of blood transfusion services of a country. The healthy, active and receptive student population can be potential blood donor to meet the safe blood requirements. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of blood donors and to explore the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of the college students of Jammu, India regarding Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD). Methods: A descriptive study was conducted over a period of one year. It involved students of six colleges. A structured donor questionnaire regarding KAP on VNRBD was distributed among the college students. Results: 1520 college students with 880 females and 640 males were involved in the study. Out of which 210 were blood donors. Prevalence of blood donors was 13.81%. In this study 81.57 % of students were aware of Voluntary Blood Donation (VBD). 62.5% of the students had awareness regarding spread and transmission of HIV/AIDS. 49.34% students were not aware of the fact that paid / professional blood donation has been banned in India. 76.68% of the students had knowledge that blood donation has medical benefits. The commonest reason for blood donation was sense of social responsibility and for not donating blood was fear of illness. 90.13% of the students were willing to donate blood in future. Conclusions: To increase the prevalence of voluntary blood donation, specific campaigns involving interactive awareness sessions on blood donation should be organized, targeting the youth, motivating them to become regular voluntary blood donors should be conducted. Barriers to blood donation especially by women should be studied and evaluated. Efforts must be undertaken to bring the knowledge and positive attitude towards VBD into application in future to achieve the goal of 100% VNRBD.