Association between the Demographic Factors, Dyslipidemia and Frequency of Blood Donation among Blood Donors in Ibadan, Oyo States, Nigeria
Oluwaseun Morolayo AYANFE *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Bose Etaniamhe ORIMADEGUN
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Adesola Helen ONIYE
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Dyslipidaemia, a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is a growing public health concern globally and in Nigeria, where CVD-related morbidity and mortality rates are on the increase. The influence of blood donation on lipid metabolism remains underexplored.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidaemia among blood donors in south-west Nigeria and the associations with demographic factors and donation frequency.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 300 eligible adults (250 donors, 50 controls) aged 18–65 years was conducted in Ibadan. Donors were grouped as first-time, occasional, or regular. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were obtained, and fasting venous blood was analysed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Dyslipidaemia was defined using NCEP ATP III criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests to assess group differences and associations, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 26.0% among donors. Donors had significantly higher TC (206.90 ± 25.42 mg/dL) than controls (190.40 ± 19.54 mg/dL, p < 0.001), while TG levels were significantly lower in donors (144.35 ± 27.13 mg/dL) compared to controls (155.60 ± 25.68 mg/dL, p = 0.007). No significant differences were found in LDL-C (p = 0.599) or HDL-C (p = 0.107). Higher TC, HDL-C, and lower TG levels were significantly associated with donation frequency (p = 0.020, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively).
Conclusion: This study suggests a possible beneficial impact of regular blood donation on lipid modulation, highlights the importance of routine lipid screening among blood donors, and underscores the potential metabolic effects of repeated blood donation.
Keywords: Dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, blood donors