Is there need for continued Donor Screening for Syphilis in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria

In this present study we investigated the prevalenc e of syphilis infection among 150 consecutively recruited blood donors aged 18 to 65 years and mean age 27.4 ± 6.6. Donors were made up of 133 (88.7%) male and 17 (11.3%) females. Blood donors were categorized based on the ABO blood group. A significant number of donors were group O 92 (61.3%), 31 (20.7%) were blood group B, 24 (16%) were blood group A while 3 (2%) were blood group AB. The prevalence of syphilis was compared based on the age groups and marital status of blood donors. Among th e blood donors tested, a significant number were in the 18-28 years age group 102(68%). Among the donors tested, 93 (62%) were single while 57 (38%) were married. The prevalence of syphilis was compared based on the occupational groups and type of blood donors. A significant number of blood donors were farmers 48(32%). Majority of the donors were family replacement donors 123(82%) while 27 (18%) were voluntary non-remunerated donors. This study indicated a zero percent prevalence of transfusion- transmissible syphilis infection among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. Concerted effort should be made to recruit and retain low risk voluntary non-remunerat ed donors. We recommend that blood banks in Nigeria in particular and Africa in genera l should continue to screen blood donors for syphilis in order to improve public heal th, blood safety and quality of blood transfusion service rendered in the area.