From Monday, the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will change its screening questions from specifically asking questions that focus on men who have sex with men, to questions that apply for everyone who may have engaged in anal sex.
All potential donors would now be asked whether they had had new or multiple sexual partners in the past three months; if the answer was yes, they would be asked whether they had had anal sex with those partners.
If the answer was again yes, they would be deferred for three months since the last time they participated in the act.
University of Otago cell biologist and haematologist Associate Prof Jim Faed said it was the ‘‘appropriate move’’.
‘‘It doesn't stigmatise in the way that the previous approaches did ... it puts a level footing for males and females.
‘‘It's actually a very much simpler approach than was used previously.’’
Assoc Prof Faed said the decision was backed by a lot of international research.
‘‘Small countries around the world are progressively moving to this approach and it comes out of very large research databases in North America.’’
The NZBS said the changes were designed to strengthen fairness and consistency while ensuring New Zealand continued to have one of the safest blood supplies in the world.
Donors would also be asked whether they have had gonorrhea in the past three months, and if so, they would also be deferred for three months.
‘‘This means some heterosexual donors may be deferred under the new approach, while others who are not currently eligible — such as gay, bisexual, takatāpui and other men who have sex with men in long-term, single-partner relationships — may become eligible to donate.’’
NZBS chief medial officer Dr Sarah Morley said this was a ‘‘landmark change’’.
‘‘The evidence is clear: this new approach can be safely introduced and will enable a fairer and more accurate assessment of all donors.’’
