Abstract：Objective To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and co-infection among volunteer blood donors in Urumqi region, so as to provide evidence for reducing the blood transmission of HCV and preventing and controlling the risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. Methods We collected the data about general informaiton and detection results of 5 haematological markers including ALT, HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and anti-TP in voluntary blood donors from Urumqi Blood Center from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Results A total of 140,665 voluntary blood donors including 86,179 (61.27%) males and 54,486 (38.73%) females were surveyed, with the age range of 18-55 years old. The unqualified rate of blood samples detected was 42.45‰ (5,971/140,665). The positive rates of HBsAg, elevated ALT, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and anti-TP were 4.55‰, 26.82‰, 5.52‰, 2.34‰ and 4.09‰ respectively. No statistically significantly differences were found in the positive rates of anti-HCV in groups of different genders, educational backgrounds and ages, and among different years (all P>0.05). The rates of HCV/ALT, HCV/HBV, HCV/HIV and HCV/TP co-infection were 0.66‰, 0.11‰, 0.05‰ and 0.06‰ respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors influencing HCV infection were occupation, gender and frequency of repeated blood donation, etc. Conclusions It is necessary to strengthen the screening of male, first-time and unmarried blood donors in the future work of blood donation. A routine team with repeated blood donation volunteers should be built to constantly improve the quality and safety of blood supply.
2016, Vol. 23 
