BACKGROUND: The determination of the role of mobile sites, as compared with fixed sites, in providing safe blood supply will help with the planning of future programs.

MATERIALS and METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out at the Khuzestan Blood Transfusion Organization from 2007 to 2012. Samples of the blood collected at mobile sites and fixed sites were compared. Comparisons took into consideration noticeable trends as well as the prevalence of major TTIs including HIV, HBV and HCV.

RESULTS: The total number of blood donations from 2007 to 2012 was 621117 out of which 89590 (14.43%) were collected from mobile sites. The overall blood donation index was estimated at 23.8 per 1000 population. The prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in mobile site donations was 5.31, 320.34 and 117.4, and in fixed sites was 5.31, 214.72 and 104.83 per 100000 donations respectively. HBV prevalence in mobile sites was significantly higher than in fixed sites (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION: The blood donation index in Khuzestan province is much better when compared with areas of similar socio-economic status as well as neighboring countries. The allotment of blood units collected by mobile teams is lower than that of national reports. In addition, the prevalence of TTIs in mobile site blood donations was higher than at fixed sites.