Blood utilization at a national referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: A safe and adequate supply of blood is critical to improving health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa, where little is known about the current use of blood. The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe the use of blood at a tertiary care hospital to inform future efforts to strengthen blood programs in resource-limited settings.

Study design and methods: Data were collected from blood bank documentation for all units issued at Mulago Hospital Complex in Kampala, Uganda, from mid-January to mid-April 2014.

Results: A total of 6330 units (69% whole blood, 32% red blood cells, 6% platelets, 2% plasma) were issued over the 3-month study period to 3662 unique patients. Transfusion recipients were 58% female and median age was 27 years (interquartile range [IQR], 14-41). Median pretransfusion hemoglobin was 5.6 g/dL (IQR, 4.0-7.2 g/dL, n = 1090). Strikingly, cancer was the top indication for transfusion (33.5%), followed by pregnancy-related complications (12.4%) and sickle cell disease (6.9%).

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive picture of blood use at a national referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Noncommunicable diseases, particularly oncologic conditions, represent a large proportion of demand for transfusion services.