The Prevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1/2 Among Blood Donors in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study examines the sero-epidemiology of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) types 1 and 2 among blood donors in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, in the year 2024, focusing on prevalence, socio-demographic factors, and public health implications. Among 88 predominantly male donors (94.3%) aged 25–39 years (61.4%), the majority were Yoruba (86.4%) with secondary education (68.2%). Blood specimens were screened for HTLV using stringent kit from DIAPRO, Italy, with data analyzed via SPSS version 25. The study found a 3.4% HTLV-1/2 prevalence, higher than the West African regional average but lower than similar studies in Lagos. Socio-demographic factors, including age, gender, education, and occupation, showed no statistically significant correlation with infection. Similarly, HTLV prevalence was unaffected by blood group or donor type, although commercial donors dominated (71.6%), followed by relatives (23.9%) and voluntary donors (4.5%). Concerningly, only 3.4% of participants were aware of HTLV, with 87.5% mistakenly attributing transmission to mosquitoes and 86.4% associating its cause with supernatural factors. This highlights a critical need for targeted educational campaigns. The predominance of commercial donors raises further concerns about blood safety, as they are often linked to higher risks of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). The findings emphasize the urgent need for routine HTLV screening in blood banks and strategies to increase voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Public education campaigns are essential to correct misconceptions and promote safer blood donation practices. This study underscores the importance of enhanced screening protocols, public education, and a shift towards voluntary blood donation to reduce transfusion risks and improve public health outcomes.