Diagnosis of Malaria among Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Tests?

Abstract

The two most common techniques available for diagnosis of malaria in Nigeria are microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). However, in diagnosing asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitaemia among donors, the preferred technique should not only be timely but must not compromise diagnosis. It should be more sensitive with minimal chances of false negative results. This study was carried out to compare microscopy and RDTs as effective tools for diagnosis of Plasmodium parasitaemia among blood donors in Port Harcourt. There were 200 donors involved in the study among which 135 (67.5%) tested positive and 65 (32.5%) tested negative on microscopy whereas 30 (15.0%) tested positive and 170 (85.0%) tested negative to RDT with a statistically significant difference between both techniques. Data were analysed using the statistical package epi-info version 7.02. We therefore recommend that microscopy using giemsa-stained blood films remain the method of choice for diagnosis of Plasmodium parasitaemia among blood donors to prevent the spread of transfusion malaria.