TITLE:
HBsAg Screening Reactivity among Blood Donors in a Resource-Constrained Blood Bank in Southern Senegal: Frequency and Associated Factors
AUTHORS:
Mame Ngoné Coly, Cheikh Mohamed Fadel Siby, Habibou Sarr, Demba Makalou, Mamadou Wagué Gueye, Macoura Gadji
KEYWORDS:
Blood Donors, Hepatitis B, Screening Reactivity, Rapid Tests, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.16 No.4,
November
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Hepatitis B virus remains an important transfusion-transmissible infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Operational data from blood banks with limited laboratory resources can help characterize routine screening results and identify priorities for improving blood safety. Objective: To estimate hepatitis B surface antigen screening reactivity among clinically selected blood donors in southern Senegal and assess associations with sex, age group and previous donation history. Methods: Routine records from 1 January to 31 May 2025 were analyzed for 1146 distinct donors aged 18 - 60 years. Screening used a rapid immunochromatographic assay without systematic confirmatory testing. Reactivity was estimated with a 95% confidence interval using the Wilson method. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression assessed associations with donor characteristics. Results: Among 1146 donors, 839 (73.2%) were male and 96 had reactive results, giving an overall screening reactivity of 8.4% (95% confidence interval, 6.9% - 10.1%). Reactivity was 10.1% in males and 3.6% in females and reached 16.0% in donors aged 31 - 45 years. Male sex and the two age groups above 30 years were associated with reactivity in the adjusted analysis; first-time donor status was not. Conclusion: Hepatitis B surface antigen screening reactivity was 8.4% in this single-center donor population. The observed associations with sex and age warrant cautious interpretation. The results describe routine screening reactivity rather than confirmed infection prevalence and provide a basis for local screening surveillance and donor counselling.