Blood Donor Deferral and Its Major Causes Before and After Donation: A Retrospective Analysis from the Central Blood Bank in Tobruk, Libya
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Blood transfusion is a lifesaving therapy that requires an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood. The selection of appropriate blood donors is a critical requirement for ensuring the quality and safety of blood and blood products. Through the donor selection process, some individuals may be deferred from donating blood, either temporarily or permanently, based on specific eligibility criteria. This study was carried out to analyze registered donor profiles and to identify the most common temporary and permanent deferral causes at the Central Blood Bank in Tobruk, Libya, over the period from January 2023 to August 2026. Data from 36,708 donor registrations were analyzed to assess demographic characteristics, donor types, and overall deferral rates. Pre- and post-donation deferral records (n = 6,406) were evaluated for temporary and permanent causes. Male donors accounted for 98.59% (n = 36,189) of total registrations, while females comprised 1.41% (n = 519). Replacement donors predominated (66.18%, n = 24,295), with voluntary non-remunerated donors making up 33.82% (n = 12,413). The overall deferral rate was 17.4% (n = 6,406). Temporary deferrals dominated (84.09%, n = 5,387) over permanent deferrals (15.91%, n = 1,019). Medical and surgical causes constituted the largest broad category of deferrals (71.78%, n = 4,598). Among specific temporary causes, hypotension was the most common (n = 1,898; 29.63%), followed by hypertension (n = 892; 13.92%) and recent drug intake (n = 689; 10.75%). High-risk drug-use history was the leading contributor to permanent exclusion categories (n = 330; 5.15%), followed by high bilirubin (n = 300; 4.68%) and insulin-dependent diabetes (n = 76; 1.19%). Serological reactivity rates were highest for HBsAg (n = 43; 0.67%), HCV (n = 27; 0.42%), syphilis (n = 22; 0.34%), and HIV (n = 3; 0.05%). Deferrals are predominantly temporary and are driven by actionable clinical parameters such as hypotension, hypertension, and medication use. Targeted public awareness campaigns and pre-screening education can reduce preventable deferrals, improve donor retention, and strengthen the blood supply chain.
Source: Libyan Medical Journal
DOI: 10.69667/lmj.26914
Authors: Asmai Mohammed, Sabrien Aboubakr, Fatma Abad
Institution: Tobruk University
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7214036104