The Effect of Repeated Blood Donations on the Iron Status of Male Blood Donors in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: One of the biggest challenges in blood donation particularly in Nigeria is the recruitment and retention of voluntary non-remunerated, low cost blood donors.
Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of repeated blood donations on iron stores and the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among the male blood donors in the Enugu State, Nigeria.
Study Design: In this case-control study, two hundred and twenty three randomly selected male blood donors, were grouped into six categories according to the number of units of blood donated in one year, two years, three years and the last group were on their 4th year.
Place and Duration of Study: Haematology and blood bank laboratory unit, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria: April 2012 to December 2012.
Methodology: Prior to blood donation, blood samples of 202 directed/regular male blood donors and twenty one apparently healthy men with no previous history of blood donation (aged 18-40years) were collected. Donors were grouped into 0, ≤ 3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and > 13 categories based on the number of units of blood donated.
Results: Iron depletion was seen in 1.3% in group 2 (1-3 times) and also in 13.3% of group 4 (7-9 times), iron deficiency was present in 4.4% of group 3 (4-6 times) and in 20% of group 6 (13-15 times) and iron deficiency anaemia was discovered in 4.4% of group 3 (4-6 times). Blood donors with more than seven times instances of blood donation (P<0.05) showed a significant relationship between iron depletion and iron deficiency.
Conclusion: This study showed that iron deficiency anaemia in blood donors can occur as a result of increase in number of units of blood donated and also based on iron status of individual at time of donation. Based on findings of this study ferritin test should be done on all male blood donors in Enugu before donating any unit of blood to find out the appropriate time to start iron supplement.