Relationship of Malaria to HBV and HIV status among Blood donors in Lagos State

Abstract

Three hundred and sixty eight (368) blood donors were examined for blood parasitic infection; 95.9% were males while 4.1% were females. Gametocytes and trophozoites of Plasmodium falciparum were observed in the blood samples examined. 10.1% of the blood donors were infected with malaria; 6.5% had Hepatitis B virus and 1.4% had HIV. Females had higher infection rate of malaria and hepatitis B virus (13.3% for both) than males (10.3% and 6.2%) respectively. The ages of the blood donors were between 18 and 52 years. Prevalence of malaria increased from age 18 to 27 years and then decreased with age; the highest prevalence (15.4%) was recorded in age group 23 to 27. Most of the blood donors belonged to blood group O (55.4%) while blood group AB had the lowest number of donors (2.4%). Co-infection was observed in the donors. Blood group A had the highest co-infection of malaria and hepatitis (66.7%) followed by blood group O (33.3%); blood group O also had 20% co-infection of HIV and hepatitis. Co-infection of malaria and hepatitis by blood groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Mean intensity of infection was higher in males than in females. The highest prevalence of malaria was recorded among the clergy, followed by students and unemployed people; police and military personnel had the highest hepatitis while the drivers and cleaners had the highest HIV. Most of the donors used both untreated net and insecticides (37.5%) and untreated nets only (32.1%); highest malaria infection was recorded among those who used only untreated nets.

Keywords: Malaria, HIV, HBV, blood groups, plasmodium falciparum

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp. 71-77