Transfusion practices and clinical surveillance in resource-limited settings: Insights from health facilities in Sud-Kivu and Maniema, Democratic Republic of Congo
1
Regional Doctoral School of Central Africa in Tropical Infectious Diseases, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon
2
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA), Bukavu, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
3
Preventive and Curative Services, Biomedical Research Unit, Vaccine and Antimicrobial Resistance, Centre de Santé Muhungu-État / CELPA, Bukavu, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4
Evolution, Epidemiology and Parasitic Resistance Unit, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
5
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, (USTM), Franceville, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Safe blood transfusions are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. However, settings with limited resources face structural, human and procedural challenges. Improving patient safety in these contexts requires an understanding of transfusion practices, as well as clinical surveillance and vigilance.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to assess transfusion practices, evaluate clinical surveillance quality, and identify determinants of transfusion vigilance in health facilities in Sud-Kivu and Maniema.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare professionals across various facility levels. Data included facility characteristics, professional profiles, transfusion practices, and incident reporting. Good clinical practice in transfusion surveillance (GCP-TS) and transfusion vigilance (TV) scores were calculated. Multiple linear regression identified factors associated with vigilance score.
RESULTS:
Among 173 healthcare professionals, blood banks were present only in Sud-Kivu (p < 0.001), and medical supervision was higher in this province (p = 0.010). General hospitals achieved the highest GCP-TS score (2.20 ± 0.81) compared to referral and primary health centers (p < 0.001). TV score varied significantly by facility level, province, setting, and professional category, with higher vigilance in general hospitals, Sud-Kivu, urban facilities, and among laboratory technicians. Regression analysis showed that GCP-TS score (β = 0.187, p = 0.004), Sud-Kivu location (β = 0.184, p = 0.030), individual interview system (β = 0.208, p = 0.004), availability of a blood bank (β = 1.128, p < 0.001), incident reporting (β = 1.244, p < 0.001), and physician-led evaluations (β = 0.184, p = 0.036) were significant predictors of higher vigilance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Transfusion practices and vigilance vary by infrastructure, personnel, and procedural factors. Strengthening blood bank availability, supervision, training, and incident reporting systems is critical to improving transfusion safety in resource-limited settings.
Safe blood transfusions are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. However, settings with limited resources face structural, human and procedural challenges. Improving patient safety in these contexts requires an understanding of transfusion practices, as well as clinical surveillance and vigilance.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to assess transfusion practices, evaluate clinical surveillance quality, and identify determinants of transfusion vigilance in health facilities in Sud-Kivu and Maniema.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare professionals across various facility levels. Data included facility characteristics, professional profiles, transfusion practices, and incident reporting. Good clinical practice in transfusion surveillance (GCP-TS) and transfusion vigilance (TV) scores were calculated. Multiple linear regression identified factors associated with vigilance score.
RESULTS:
Among 173 healthcare professionals, blood banks were present only in Sud-Kivu (p < 0.001), and medical supervision was higher in this province (p = 0.010). General hospitals achieved the highest GCP-TS score (2.20 ± 0.81) compared to referral and primary health centers (p < 0.001). TV score varied significantly by facility level, province, setting, and professional category, with higher vigilance in general hospitals, Sud-Kivu, urban facilities, and among laboratory technicians. Regression analysis showed that GCP-TS score (β = 0.187, p = 0.004), Sud-Kivu location (β = 0.184, p = 0.030), individual interview system (β = 0.208, p = 0.004), availability of a blood bank (β = 1.128, p < 0.001), incident reporting (β = 1.244, p < 0.001), and physician-led evaluations (β = 0.184, p = 0.036) were significant predictors of higher vigilance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Transfusion practices and vigilance vary by infrastructure, personnel, and procedural factors. Strengthening blood bank availability, supervision, training, and incident reporting systems is critical to improving transfusion safety in resource-limited settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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