Prevalence of Malaria among Blood Donors and Recipients in Dschang Health District, West Cameroon

Abstract

This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of transfusion-transmitted malaria in the Dschang Health District. It will contribute to improving transfusion safety, particularly regarding the transmission of malaria through blood transfusions. Blood transfusion is a vital and indispensable therapy in the management of patients within healthcare systems. Prophylactic antimalarial treatment is not always administered to recipients. Consequently, children and pregnant women are at risk of severe malaria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a longitudinal component conducted on transfused blood units/donors and blood recipients in the healthcare facilities of the Dschang Health District. The cross-sectional component focused on blood units/donors and recipients, as well as transfusion procedures. Whole blood is the most commonly transfused product, administered to 95.45% of the recipients. Additionally, the majority of recipients (86.36%) do not use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). The recruitment services show a predominance of the medicine service (38.64%), followed by intensive care (18.18%) and traumatology (15.91%). This distribution highlights a high prevalence of transfusions among women, young and middle-aged adults, with common blood types and a predominant indication for severe anemia.