Background: In Poland, obligatory anti-HIV serological testing for individual blood donations was introduced in 1987; since 2000, the p24 antigen is detected as well. Such test results are a reliable source of epidemiological data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HIV infections among Polish blood donors in the period 1988–2007.
Materials and methods: Within the 1988–2007 period, a total number of 10.554.989 donors were tested for HIV infection, either with ELISA or with chemiluminescence methods. For donations repeatedly reactive in screening tests, the antibody specificity was confirmed with Western Blot and, since 2003, also with RNA HIV.
Results: In the years 1988–2007, the prevalence of HIV infection among the population of Polish donors was, for the most part, at the level of 5–7 persons/100.000 donors/year; however, in 1988, as well as in the period 1991–1995, it was 2–3 fold lower. The highest number of infections (9–12 persons/100.000 donors) was detected in the industrial regions of Poland. During the first years after implementation of anti-HIV testing (1988–1992), the HIV prevalence was higher in the group of repeat donors, whereas in the following years, it was higher for the group of first-time donors. No HIV infections were detected in women until 1995 but since then, the number has steadily been growing. The highest number of HIV infections has been reported for the 18–35 age group.
Conclusions:
1. The prevalence of HIV among Polish donors is relatively constant after the fluctuations observed in the years 1988–1996.
2. The largest number of infections are detected in South-Western regions of Poland.
3. Immediately after the introduction of HIV testing, HIV carriers were identified mainly among repeat donors, but since 1993 infection prevails in the group of first time donors.
4. The first infections among women was detected in 1995 and since then their number is growing.