Prevalence of Iron Deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anaemia and General Anaemia in Male Gambian Blood Donors Residing in Greater Banjul Region

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) as well as general anaemia in male blood donors and their association with ageing process. Methodology and Results: A total of two hundred and one (201) serum samples were analysed for ferritin in male Gambian blood donors. The ferritin measurement was achieved with COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus. At the same time, haemoglobin values were retrospectively obtained from the archived haematological full blood count result in the GARIS database. IDA was defined as (Haemoglobin <13.0g/dL+ Ferritin<15ng/ml) whilst ID was defined as (Haemoglobin >/=13.0g/dL+ Ferritin<15ng/ml) and general anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <13.0g/dL in males. The prevalence of anaemia (20%, n=41), ID (22%, n=44) and IDA (10%, n=21), were recorded in male donors. The results show no relationship between ferritin and haemoglobin among the blood donors (collection coefficient (r) = 0.04). Besides, no linear association of having anaemia and ID with ageing was reported among the blood donor population. Conclusion and potential application of findings: ID and IDA as well as general anaemia are highly prevalent among blood donors in the Gambia. Besides, no predisposition to ID and anaemia was observed in term of age, thus all blood donors from 18-60 should be considered for blood donation without any age preference.