فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant blood product shortages due to social distancing and lockdown measures. This study evaluates blood donor characteristics during the pandemic to identify reliable donor groups for a safe blood supply.   Methods: Data from March-April 2019 (pre-pandemic) and March-April 2020 (during the pandemic) were extracted from the IBTO database. Donation frequencies, donor characteristics, and seropositivity for HIV, HCV, HTLV, and HBsAg were compared. A proportion test and rate of change analysis were conducted using STATA version 14, with an alpha level of 0.05.   Results: The national blood supply dropped by over 26%, with significant regional variations. Youth and female donors increased in both number and percentage post-pandemic. The smallest reduction was observed among first-time donors. Seropositivity rates for HIV, HCV, and HTLV remained stable, while HBsAg seropositivity showed a significant increase. The reduction rate among student donors was nearly 30%, whereas it was about 5.5% among military personnel.   Conclusion: Despite a more than one-fourth reduction in blood donations during the pandemic, first-time donors showed least reduction in donation rate. younger and female donors increased in both absolute number and percentage. Blood safety measures were maintained at acceptable level. Future donor recruitment and retention efforts especially in crisis should focus on these groups to ensure a stable blood supply.