Anemia as the cause of clinical inability of candidates to blood donation for a hemotherapy and hematology center in the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate anemia as a cause of clinical disability in blood donors in the state of Maranhão- Brazil. Methods: This study addresses a time series of prevalence of anemia among blood donor candidates. Secondary data were collected from the Information System of the Blood Center of Maranhão. Donor candidates were treated between 2001 and 2010. Statistical analysis was performed with Epi Info version 6.04d. Results: The proportion of clinical disability was 16.8% (n = 1,672) and 63.27% (n = 6,198) consisted of men. Considering the unfit group, anemia was the second most frequent cause with 16.68% (n = 16,729). In men, drug use was the most frequent cause of inability (90.94%, n = 650) and anemia was the last cause with 28.76% (n = 458). In women, anemia was the major cause of clinical inability (71.24%, p = 0.000). Conclusion: Anemia is an important cause of inability, and in women it is the first one.