ABSTRACT:
Aim of study: This study is the first done in the blood bank of Tartus to study the percentage of infected donors with hepatitis B and C. The aim was to determine the serological prevalence of Hepatitis B and C infection among Syrians, and factors that increase the risk of infection. Method of study: The subjects were blood donors at the Blood Transfusion Center in Tartus city from 02/01/2017 to 31/12/2017, all personal data of donors relating to age, gender, professional status and medical. history were recorded. After collecting blood units, a blood sample of 5 ml was taken in the EDTA tube for testing, using Enzyme -Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Biokit®, Spain), we calculated the value of CUT-OFF according to the manufacturer's instructions. at any positive result, the tube was retested in duplicate before final interpretation. The statistical comparison was conducted and the p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study showed a significant decrease in the number of donors with hepatitis B and C in Tartus governorate, which makes this percentage the lowest in Syria and developing countries, and reduce state spending on patient’s treatment. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of spreading the culture of blood donation because, in addition to the fact that blood donation is a humanitarian duty, tests performed free in blood banks, may alert us early to infection with these diseases, and the results are reported to the Ministry of health, which may be remedied in the premiere stages.