Transfusion-transmissible Viral Infections among the Blood Donors in Omdurman, Sudan during a Humanitarian Emergency: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Blood transfusion safety remains a major public health concern due to the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In Sudan, the ongoing armed conflict has severely disrupted healthcare services, potentially increasing transfusion-related risks. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of major TTIs among blood donors in a conflict-affected region of Sudan during 2024. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using blood donor records from Al-Naw Hospital, Omdurman, Sudan, between March and August 2024. A total of 6,531 donors were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV using rapid diagnostic tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine overall and monthly seroprevalence rates, and findings were compared with previous studies conducted in Sudan. Results: Among the screened donors, 235 (3.6%) tested positive for at least one TTI. HBV was the most prevalent infection, detected in 142 donors (2.17%), followed by HCV in 57 donors (0.87%) and HIV in 36 donors (0.55%). No co-infections were identified. Monthly analysis showed fluctuating prevalence rates, with the highest overall TTI prevalence observed in March (4.56%) and August (4.42%). Compared with pre-conflict studies from other regions of Sudan, the prevalence of HBV and HCV was generally lower, while HIV prevalence showed variable patterns. Conclusion: This descriptive study provides contemporary data on transfusion-transmissible viral infections among blood donors in Omdurman during the ongoing armed conflict. Although the measured seroprevalence appears lower than that reported in some earlier Sudanese studies, the lack of standardized comparisons in terms of study duration, sample size, and testing methodology limits the ability to draw firm conclusions regarding trends over time. Therefore, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and mainly serve to highlight the need for continuous and quality-assured blood screening in conflict-affected settings.