Santé publique France is releasing today the initial results of the Complidon survey, conducted in collaboration with the French Blood Establishment (EFS) and the Armed Forces Blood Transfusion Center (CTSA), on donors’ compliance with blood donation eligibility criteria. Nearly 110,000 blood donors were surveyed. Data from donor epidemiological surveillance and the Complidon survey reveal that opening blood donation in July 2016 to men who have sex with men (MSM) does not increase the risk of HIV transmission through transfusion, which remains extremely low in France. These results provide new insights for public health authorities as they consider further expanding blood donation eligibility to MSM.

The expansion of blood donation eligibility to MSM in July 2016 did not increase the risk of HIV transmission through transfusion

Since July 10, 2016, blood donor eligibility criteria have been modified, notably allowing MSM to donate blood, provided they have not had sex with another man in the past 12 months. Surveillance data analyzed by Santé publique France show that the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion has remained stable at a very low level, both before and after the opening of blood donation to MSM. The risk is estimated, over the 2015–2017 period, at one undetected HIV-positive donation out of 5.2 million donations.

A survey to assess compliance with and understanding of blood donor selection criteria

To assess compliance with and understanding of donor selection criteria, Santé publique France conducted the Complidon survey, to which nearly 110,000 blood donors responded. The results indicate that current contraindications for blood donation are not always strictly followed. For example, among men, 0.73% reported having had sex with men in the past 12 months without disclosing this prior to donation.

Observations to Consider a Broader Opening of Blood Donation to MSM

Among men, only 0.56% reported in the survey having had sex with men in the 4 months prior to their donation. Furthermore, among men who had engaged in sex with men in the past 12 months, one in two (46%) reported that they would have disclosed this during the pre-donation interview if the deferral period had been shorter. Although based on self-reporting, these figures suggest that compliance with the selection criteria regarding MSM could increase with a shorter deferral period. Following similar data, in November 2017, the United Kingdom authorized MSM to donate blood, provided they had not engaged in sex with men in the 3 months prior to donation.

Data from the Complidon survey and epidemiological surveillance of blood donors thus provide insights to public authorities, with a view to considering a potential broader opening of blood donation to MSM in France. All of these results were presented to the monitoring committee for the decree establishing blood donor selection criteria, which brings together, under the auspices of the DGS, patient and donor associations, advocacy groups, and health agencies.

For more information:

• Report on compliance with blood donor selection criteria

• Contraindications to blood donation

• Decree of April 5, 2016 establishing the selection criteria for blood donors