Seroprevalence of Malaria Antibodies and Transfusion Safety Awareness among Blood Donors in Al-Hodeidah City, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Yemen, particularly in endemic areas such as Al-Hodeidah. Despite the known risks of transfusion-transmitted malaria, routine screening for malaria antibodies among blood donors is not universally practiced. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of malaria antibodies, evaluate donors’ knowledge and protective practices, and examine implications for transfusion safety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 male blood donors in Al-Hodeidah city from November 2023 to March 2024. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax antibodies were employed. Sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and malaria protection practices were collected via structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23, with chi-square tests determining significance at p < 0.05. Results: Malaria antibody prevalence was 16.5%. Notably, the highest seropositivity (57.1%) occurred in donors aged 45–55 years (p=0.033). No significant differences were observed regarding donor type, education level, occupation, or malaria transmission knowledge. Use of protective measures such as bed nets was associated with lower seropositivity, though not statistically significant. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting malaria antibody seroprevalence among blood donors in Al-Hodeidah, revealing a concerning prevalence rate with transfusion safety implications. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate malaria antibody screening protocols into blood donation processes in endemic regions.