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Sociology and behaviour of West African blood donors: the impact of religion on human immunodeficiency virus infection

  1. J.-P. Allain1,*,
  2. M. Anokwa2,
  3. A. Casbard3,
  4. S. Owusu-Ofori2,
  5. J. Dennis-Antwi4

Article first published online: 7 DEC 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2004.00578.x

Issue

Vox Sanguinis

Vox Sanguinis

Volume 87, Issue 4, pages 233–240, November 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Allain, J.-P., Anokwa, M., Casbard, A., Owusu-Ofori, S. and Dennis-Antwi, J. (2004), Sociology and behaviour of West African blood donors: the impact of religion on human immunodeficiency virus infection. Vox Sanguinis, 87: 233–240. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2004.00578.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

  2. 2

    Transfusion Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana

  3. 3

    MRC Clinical Trials Unit, London, UK

  4. 4

    National Health Learning Materials Centre (Kumasi Health Education Unit), Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana

*Correspondence: J.-P. Allain, Cambridge Blood Centre, Long Road, Cambridge CB2 2PT, UK E-mail: jpa1000@cam.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 DEC 2004
  2. Article first published online: 7 DEC 2004
  3. Received: 20 July 2004, revised 18 August 2004, accepted 19 August 2004

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Keywords:

  • HIV;
  • blood donors;
  • religion;
  • West Africa;
  • Ghana

Background and Objectives  Ghana is one of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa where the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in blood donors ranges between 1 and 4%. Considering the social importance of religion and the very high level of religious practice observed in Ghana, the hypothesis that these factors may play a role in containing HIV was tested.

Materials and Methods  Consenting HIV-infected candidate blood donors, and two age- and gender-matched seronegative control donors, were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their religious and sexual behaviour. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used.

Results  Irrespective of their HIV status or religion, 95% of the respondents believed that extra-marital sex was a sin, and 79% of those tempted to have an extra-marital affair considered that their religious beliefs helped them to abstain. In the multivariable models, having a formal role in church activities was associated with reduced odds of HIV [odds ratio (OR) = 0·41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0·21–0·80]. Worshipping at the same location for more than 20 years was associated with a reduced risk (OR = 0·30; 95% CI: 0·08–1·10). In addition to other factors limiting HIV spread, such as male circumcision, relatively high level of education and an absence of armed conflicts in Ghana, the use of condoms conferred a reduced risk.

Conclusions  An active role in religion, and reporting a lengthy duration of worship at the same place was beneficial. Collecting blood at places of worship with a strict behavioural code and from donors practicing in the community of their birth might improve blood safety.

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