BLOOD PRODUCTS TRANSFUSION DURING 2012-13 IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Background: Blood products transfusion has been a major treatment modality especially in critical care settings. The objectives of this study were to determine frequency and distribution of blood products transfusion in public and private health care facilities during 2012-2013 in Peshawar, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional, study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013. Sample size was 2,04,942 blood products transfusion, selected through consecutive non probability technique. All allogeneic cases of transfusions in inpatient and emergency were included. A total of six public, one private and two stand-alone blood banks were enrolled into the study. Demographic variable were name of the health care facility, sex and age groups of donors. Research variables were type of blood products transfusion (whole blood, packed red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, platelets). All variables being categorical were described as count and percentages. Data was analyzed using software SPSS version 23. Results: Out of 2,04,942 units, 1,33,212 (65%) were men and 71,730 (35%) women. Packed red blood cells were the most commonly used component with 80227 units (39.1%), whole blood 77655 units (37.8%), Fresh frozen plasma 35932 units (17.5%) and platelets 11128 units (5.6%). Blood products transfusion was 46927 units (22.89%) in 65 years. Conclusion: Modal group was men. Packed red blood cells were the most frequently transfused blood component in hospitals of Peshawar especially Lady reading hospital. Most common age group was 18-40 years. Whole blood still comprises a significant fraction of transfusions which is alarming.