We recruited 137 HIV-positive donors (cases) and 256 HIV-negative donors (controls) and gathered risk factor data using audio computer-assisted self-… - Dora Mbanya

To reduce blood-borne HIV transmission, four main strategies need to be considered: more effective identification of blood donors at high risk of HIV infection, better laboratory screening for HIV, pathogen reduction of blood products and reduced blood utilization. Blood donor risk screening comes first in the overall process of collecting safe blood products.

We also determined the operational acceptability of the new ASDHQ by collecting qualitative data from the donors. We hypothesized that the ASDHQ questionnaire would reduce the rate of risk deferrals compared to historical data, increase HIV prevalence in deferred donors compared to HIV prevalence in accepted donors.

Investigators also completed a paper-based laboratory tracking form in which they documented PDT and ELISA results performed on-site by the facilities themselves in addition to other specimens collected.