Pre and Post Glucose Levels among Voluntary Blood Donors in Jos Metropolis

Abstract

There has been complain of dizziness and fainting after blood donation especially by first time donors in Jos metropolis. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate any variation between concentration of glucose before and immediately after blood donation.
Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained from the institution and subjects respectively. Thirty (30) volunteer blood donors were studied and the On-Call Plus glucometer (Acon Labs, USA) was used to determine the blood sugar levels. The difference
in blood glucose concentration (Random Blood Sugar) in subjects before (106.20±18.13) and after (103.13±15.74) blood donation was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the pre-blood donation random Blood Sugar based on gender [male (109.00±21.46) and female (103.00±13.46)]. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the post blood donation random Blood Sugar level [male (110.00±18.76) and female (95.28±4.74) (p<0.05). There is no significant difference in glucose level (Random Blood Sugar) before blood donation based on age [20-29 years (100.16±13.98), 30-39 years (95.00±4.12), 40-49 years (129.71±12.89)] (p>0.05). There was a significant difference after blood donation at (p<0.05) as age 40-49 years had the highest level of sugar (126.28±16.74) when compared to age 20-29 years (96.11±5.88) and 30-39 years (96.00±2.73). The study reveals that there is no significant variation in the glucose concentration (Random Blood Sugar) in subjects before and immediately after blood donation. There was a significant difference in the post donation blood sugar level between male and female. The pre donation blood sugar level is significantly higher among older (40- 49 years) blood donors. There is need for adequate care and monitoring of particularly younger and female donors. Blood donors should be adequately cared for and thoroughly observed during and after blood donation as they may have reduced sugar levels after donation which may lead to dizziness or fainting. Blood donors should be medically checked adequately before voluntary blood donation.