Prevalence of Haemoparasites among Blood Donors Attending the Regional Hospital Center of Franceville (Southern Gabon)

Abstract

Background: Blood donation is a lifesaving intervention and a precious gift for patients in urgent need. However, the blood should be carefully checked for transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, malaria and other endemic haemoparasites. In Gabon, like in many other African countries, blood is not routinely screened for malaria as recommended by the World health organization. Objective: The main objective of this study was to screen the blood of prospective donors attending Amissa Bongo Regional Hospital Center of Franceville (Southern Gabon) for blood-borne parasites. Methods: Blood donor candidates were subjected to a structured questionnaire and haemoparasites detected using microscopic examinations: direct examination and cytoconcentration technique for filarial worms, thick blood smears and direct examination for Babasia spp and Trypanosoma spp , SD Bioline Malaria AG P.F/PAN Test and thick/thin blood smears for Plasmodium falciparum. Results: The majority of blood donor candidates were males, family donors, work in the informal sector, and under 39 years old. The results also revealed that the prevalences of malaria parasites ( Plasmodium falciparum ) and filarial worms ( Loa loa and Mansonella perstans ) were respectively 5.59% (51/447) and 2.68% (12/447). In contrast, none of the prospective blood donors tested positive for Babesiosis or African Trypanosomiaisis. Family blood donors were more affected with malaria compare voluntary donors (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 0.42 - 5.00). The age group 18-28 was statistically most affected by the filarial infection than the other groups (OR = 8.83; 95% CI = 1.09 - 71.35; P-value = 0.0411). The results also showed that more than one third of prospective donors suffered from anemia. However, there was no significant association with either malaria or microfilaria (P-value ˃ 0.05). Conclusion: The current hospital- based study detected Plasmodium falciparum and filarial worms among prospective blood donors. This finding that raises concerns should draw the attention of local health authorities and lead them to routinely screen blood for malaria parasites as recommended by the world health organization.