What is it about?
We interviewed blood donors with positive serologic tests for syphlis to identify demographic characteristics, risk factors, including sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drug use, and motivations for donating.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
Syphilis is considered a curable sexually transmitted infection; however, 12 million new cases arise each year worldwide, one quarter of which are in Latin America. Continuous monitoring of the profile of syphilis infected blood donors is warranted to enhance blood transfusion safety.
Perspectives
Sistematic surveillance of risk factors associated with syphilis can lead to improvements in blood donor screening and ultimately, blood donation safety. Further research on the motivations why high risk individuals look for blood banks instead of voluntary counselling and testing centres is needed.
Dr Cesar de Almeida-Neto
Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Demographic, risk factors and motivations among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis in São Paulo, Brazil, Transfusion Medicine, April 2014, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/tme.12124.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
