Prevalence and Trends of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections Among Screened Samples During 2024-2025 at El-Obeid Central Blood Bank, North Kordofan, Sudan.

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) remain a major public health challenge in low-resource settings, including Sudan, and ensuring blood safety is difficult when screening and surveillance systems are limited. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and monthly trends of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis among blood donors in El-Obeid, Sudan (2024-2025), and to compare the performance of rapid tests with ELISA in the detection of these infections. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using donor screening records from January 2024 to December 2025. Screening for HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis was performed using rapid tests and ELISA. Data were analysed in SPSS; chi-square tests were used for comparisons, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 211,773 screening results were reviewed. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis using ELISA was 2.6%, 0.6%, 0.4%, and 4.6%, respectively. In 2025, ELISA detected significantly more positive cases than rapid tests, particularly for HBV and syphilis (p < 0.05). Monthly trend analysis showed noticeable fluctuations with mid-year peaks.

Conclusion: HBV and syphilis remained the predominant TTIs among screened donors. The higher detection rate by ELISA supports its wider use for blood screening to enhance transfusion safety.