Background: The study was conceived to
assess the seroprevalence of human
immunodeficiency virus among blood donors
living in Warri South South region of Nigeria.
The importance ofthis study is to highlight the
prevalence of HIV in different age groups of
blood donors.
Methods: This was a descriptive analysis of
the records ofa total of3518 blood donors for
the year 2002 to ascertain the age distribution
and the sero-positivity for the human
immunodeficiency virus. Descriptive
statistics was used to present the data.
Result: The seroprevalence was 6.5 %. The
highest prevalence was seen among
commercial donors. The highest prevalence
was found in those less than 20 years and less .
than 50 years to be respectively 12.5 % and
15.1 % for the commercial donors and 4.0 %
and 3.0 % for the family replacement donors.
Conclusion: This study found a sero
prevalence rate of 6.5 % with the highest
prevalence seen in donors below 20 years and
those below 50 years of age. It is advocated
that rigorous screening procedures should be
adopted and more stringent exclusion criteria
be enforced. In addition, all blood to be used
for transfusion should be preferably sourced
from the National Blood Transfusion Service
by all health centres across the country.
Furthermore, intensive health education is
needed to inform the people on preventive
measures in the spread of HIV