FACTORS SHAPING FERRITIN AND HEMOGLOBIN STATUS IN BLOOD DONORS IN TOGO

Blood donation, essential for public health, may place frequent donors at risk of iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Togo. This descriptive and analytical study, conducted from May 2024 to April 2025 among 390 voluntary donors in two blood transfusion centers, assessed the influence of age, sex, geographic location, and donation frequency on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and ferritin concentrations. Male sex and residence in the South were associated with higher Hb, while ferritin did not vary significantly by sex or location. Age showed a weak negative correlation with Hb and no significant association with ferritin. Donation frequency emerged as the most critical determinant, with donors having ≥21 donations showing significantly lower Hb (p < 0.001) and ferritin (p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of targeted monitoring of at-risk donors to prevent anemia and ensure transfusion safety.