Transfusion safety: asymptomatic malaria in blood donors at Ebolawa Regional Hospital (South Cameroon)

Malaria remains one of the main infectious risks associated with blood transfusions in endemic regions. However, studies on the prevalence of transfusion-associated malaria have not been well characterized in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of transmission of Plasmodium spp. among blood donors at the Ebolowa regional hospital. The study was conducted over a period from January 2, 2022, to June 30, 2022. Socio-demographic information and knowledge about malarias were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Blood collected in an EDTA tube was used for the rapid diagnostic test, the thick and the thin thin film smear. A total of 375 blood donors tested positive for malaria out of the 512 people sampled. Plasmodium falciparum was the only species identified. The prevalence of malaria in blood donors by gender was statistically higher in males (84.1%) than females (54.1%). The age groups 26 to 40, 41 to 50, and 61 and over were more likely to be infected with malaria, with a prevalence of 89%, 88%, and 84.3%, respectively. Malaria prevalence was higher among single (77.3%) than married (63.3%) blood donors. Blood donors who reported not sleeping under a mosquito net were more malaria-positive (83.61%) than those sleeping under a mosquito net (13.15%). The blood donors who tested positive for malaria were all asymptomatic. The information generated from this study could be used to improve and reinforce new awareness and education strategies, as well as diagnostic and prevention strategies for transfusion malaria.