Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of syphilis among blood donors in a Rural Health Zone in north-eastern DR Congo (Isangi). Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in the Rural Health Zone of Isangi from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2017 involving 814 blood donors. Results: 814 blood donors were counted including 725 males (89%) and 89 females (11%), a sex ratio M / F of 8.14. The majority of blood donors were 17-25 years old (44%) and 25-35 years old (32%) with a mean age of 32.3 ± 8 years. Family blood donors were the majority (90%). The seroprevalence of syphilis was 1.7%. This seroprevalence was higher among young, male, living alone, family, illiterate and primary and non-professional blood donors. No epidemiological parameters studied were significantly associated with the seropositivity of the antibodies sought. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of syphilis was low in blood donors in the Rural Health Zone of Isangi. This seroprevalence would be underestimated because of the use of a single rapid diagnostic test (RPR) in screening blood donors. The improvement of transfusion safety in the Rural Health Zone of Isangi should be directed towards the abandonment of the family donation, the promotion of the voluntary donation, the organization of the donors in "clubs" and their loyalty.

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C and HIV among blood donors in the Isangi Rural Health Zone. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in the rural health zone of Isangi from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017 involving 814 blood donors. The parameters of interest were sociodemographic characteristics and biological results (HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis) using rapid diagnostic tests. Results: 814 blood donors (family and volunteers) were collected, including 725 males (89%) and 89 females (11%). The majority of donors belonged to the age groups of 17-25 years (44%) and 26-35 (32%) and was family donors (90%). The prevalence was 1.7%; 3.2℅; 0.85℅; 3.5% for syphilis, HBV, HIV and HCV, respectively. No epidemiological parameters studied were significantly associated with the seropositivity of the antigens sought (p <0.05). Conclusion: Seroprevalences of infectious markers were relatively low among blood donors in Isangi. These seroprevalences would be underestimated because of the use of rapid diagnostic tests. But they would reflect a difference in epidemiology of infectious agents between rural and urban areas. Improvement of transfusion safety in rural areas should be directed towards the abandonment of family donation, the promotion of voluntary donation, the organization of donors into "clubs" and their loyalty.