Pattern of Blood Donors in Jos.

Background: Blood donors are categorized into voluntary, paid, family replacement, autologous, directed and therapeutic. Superior safety has long been identified with voluntary and autologous blood donations. The setting up of the centralized blood transfusion service centre is to source blood from prospective voluntary donors among other responsibilities. AIM: To determine the types of blood donors received at the blood transfusion service and make appropriate suggestion towards transfusion safety. Methods: We reviewed blood donor records from April 2008 to March 2010 for the pattern of blood donors received at the north central blood transfusion service centre of the National blood Transfusion Service, Jos. Results: A total of 7286 donors were recruited in the transfusion centre and in hospital blood banks. 78.2% were voluntary donors while 21.7% were family replacement donors all from hospital blood banks. Conclusion: The high rate of voluntary blood donation recorded in the transfusion service is a departure from the culture of replacement donation experienced in hospital blood transfusion units. This portrays a ray of hope towards the attainment of 100% voluntary blood donation and its attendant safety. We recommend improved commitment of resources from government and donor agencies in this regard. State and local governments should establish transfusion units to collaborate with the National Blood Transfusion Service of Nigeria.Key words: Voluntary, Replacement Donors, Transfusion Service.