Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitemia among Blood Donors in Cape Coast, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Malaria is an important transfusion-associated infection in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is endemic. We studied the prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area.

Methods: A malaria parasite examination was added to the blood donor screening protocol for 240 voluntary and replacement blood donors (224 males and 16 females) between December 2020 and July 2021.

Results: Overall, 2.5% (6/240) had Plasmodium falciparum trophozoites detected in their blood sample. The remaining had no parasites detected. Four of the 148 who passed the blood donor screening tests were infected. The remaining two with malaria parasites failed one screening test. These included one donor with "hepatitis B + P. falciparum" and another with "syphilis + P. falciparum" parasite coinfection. All blood donors who had malaria parasites detected in their blood were males. Most donors, 45.8% (110/240), were in the 26-35 age group, with the highest prevalence of 1.3% (3/240). Blood group O was predominant (75.0%, 180/240), followed by B (12.9%, 31/240), A (11.3%, 27/240), and AB (0.8%, 2/240). All malaria parasites detected were among individuals with blood group O. Moreover, 96.3% (231/240) were rhesus-positive and had the highest prevalence of 2.1% (5/240).

Conclusions: Screening of blood donors in Ghana does not include malaria, although there is the potential for transmission through blood products. Malaria transmission via blood transfusion remains an issue of public health concern, as indicated in the results of this current study. We recommend studies on malaria prevention, pretransfusion and posttransfusion, and pathogen reduction technology.

Figure 1

Map of the Cape Coast (credit: Ing. Dr. Charles Gyamfi, Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana).