Determinants of Blood Discard at the Muhimbili National Hospital Blood Donation Center Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Blood and blood products are scarce resources worldwide, with Sub-Saharan African countries being the region most affected due to the lack of adequate funding for blood safety programs. In addition to low blood donation rates, blood discard has an essential impact on the blood supply and financial stability of the blood centre due to wastage. This study was conducted to determine factors contributing to blood discarding following donations at the Muhimbili blood donation centre.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Muhimbili National Hospital's blood donation centre for three months. During the study period, 1200 donated blood units at the centre were monitored. Data were collected using a checklist, and frequencies were compared using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23.Results: The overall leading cause of blood discard was Transfusion-Transmissible Infections (TTIs), with Hepatitis B virus infection accounting for 4.8% of total blood discard, followed by cold chain failure, contributing 2.7% of the total discarded.Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection was the leading cause of blood discard among TTIs, whereas cold chain failure contributed to blood discard among non-TI reasons.