Asymptomatic Malaria during Blood Transfusion in N’Djamena, Chad: Associated Risk Factors among Blood Donors

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of a female mosquito (Anopheles). however, blood transfusion, which is a life-saving medical procedure in many settings, represents a potential route of Plasmodium transmission. The objective of this study was to determine the plasmodial parasitemia in blood donors with a view to assessing the quality of the erythrocyte concentrates produced at the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) of Chad. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving 271 subjects who came to donate blood at the CNTS in N'Djamena over a period from March 1 to June 1, 2023. After obtaining the tacit and/or informed consent of potential donors, a questionnaire was administered to them to collect sociodemographic data, knowledge and practical attitudes towards malaria. A blood sample was taken from each individual. The following biological analyzes were carried out: Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test, thick smear, blood smear. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0, and the Chi square test was used to compare proportions and a logistic regression model to look for risk factors associated with malaria infection. Results: This study reveals that: the most represented age group was that of 18-28 years (68.6%), with a sex ratio of 4.1 in favor of the male sex, family type donors were more represented (73.4%). The prevalence of plasmodial infection was 12.2% with a parasitemia of between 100 and 600 parasites/µL of blood. The species in question was Plasmodium falciparum. A statistically significant association was established between sex, non-use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, lack of knowledge about malaria and malaria infection. Conclusion: This work showed that the residual transfusion risk of malaria is real at the CNTS. It would therefore be necessary to ultimately adopt an innovative safety strategy including systematic screening of donations for Plasmodium falciparum.