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  • Title: Blood safety.
    Journal: AIDS Action; 1996; (34):1. PubMed ID: 12291927.
    Abstract:
    5-10% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in developing countries occurs via blood transfusion; collecting sufficient amounts of safe blood poses ethical and financial challenges. The ideal blood donors are healthy adults and young persons; however, this group is most likely to be sexually active and, therefore, at risk of infection by HIV. While some people fear their confidentiality will be broken, or do not wish to consider their risk of HIV, others find this a perfect time to discover their HIV status. Those who test positive should be referred for counseling privately, without incurring the curiosity of friends and colleagues. Blood services are collaborating with organizations and health services that are concerned with HIV prevention and care in educating donors about blood collection, emphasizing the serious responsibility of giving safe blood. The goal of this strategy is to encourage donors who are at low risk of HIV infection to give blood, and, if they become at risk of HIV, to stop giving blood. As a result of this strategy, less infected blood is being collected and regular blood donors, who continue to practice safer sex behavior, have become knowledge sources for others with regard to giving blood and HIV infection. Studies in Uganda and Zimbabwe have shown that young persons and adults who donate blood regularly are more likely to remain HIV negative than non-donors.
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