Occurrence of Plasmodium Species Among Blood Donors at a Teaching Hospital in Enugu State

Transfusion-transmitted malaria is a preventable but underappreciated risk to blood recipients, particularly in malaria-endemic countries such as Nigeria. This study investigated the occurrence of Plasmodium species among blood donors attending the blood bank unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. A total of 250 blood donor samples collected over six months were examined using Giemsa-stained thick and thin films, confirmed with malaria rapid diagnostic test kits. Donor demographic information and donation history were retrieved from the blood bank register with institutional approval. Results revealed a Plasmodium carriage rate of 14.8 percent, predominantly P. falciparum, among donors who were afebrile and clinically well at the time of donation. Repeat donors had lower positivity rates than first-time donors, possibly reflecting acquired partial immunity. This study highlights a significant gap in pre-donation malaria screening protocols and recommends mandatory rapid testing of all donated blood units prior to transfusion. Such measures are especially critical for recipients who are children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals. Keywords: transfusion-transmitted malaria, blood donors, Plasmodium species, Enugu State, blood safety.