Association between the Demographic Factors, Dyslipidemia and Frequency of Blood Donation among Blood Donors in Ibadan, Oyo States, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidaemia, a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is a growing public health concern globally and in Nigeria, where CVD-related morbidity and mortality rates are on the increase. The influence of blood donation on lipid metabolism remains underexplored. Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidaemia among blood donors in south-west Nigeria and the associations with demographic factors and donation frequency. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 300 eligible adults (250 donors, 50 controls) aged 18–65 years was conducted in Ibadan. Donors were grouped as first-time, occasional, or regular. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were obtained, and fasting venous blood was analysed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Dyslipidaemia was defined using NCEP ATP III criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests to assess group differences and associations, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 26.0% among donors. Donors had significantly higher TC (206.90 ± 25.42 mg/dL) than controls (190.40 ± 19.54 mg/dL, p < 0.001), while TG levels were significantly lower in donors (144.35 ± 27.13 mg/dL) compared to controls (155.60 ± 25.68 mg/dL, p = 0.007). No significant differences were found in LDL-C (p = 0.599) or HDL-C (p = 0.107). Higher TC, HDL-C, and lower TG levels were significantly associated with donation frequency (p = 0.020, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests a possible beneficial impact of regular blood donation on lipid modulation, highlights the importance of routine lipid screening among blood donors, and underscores the potential metabolic effects of repeated blood donation.