RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: After the resurgence of endemic malaria case in 1993, the number of malaria cases is increasing in succeeding years and most of patients were soldiers who served in the northern parts of Kyeonggi-do and Kangwon-do. Because group donations of blood from soldiers are frequent in these area, it is possible that donated blood from these area cause malaria. So we examined blood donation history of malaria patients to know their donation behavior. METHODS: The subject was 1,671 malaria patients who were diagnosed in 1997 and referred to blood transfusion research institute and their past donation history, time and frequency of donation were examined. The database consisted of malaria patients and blood donors who are known to be related with transfusion-transmitted malaria has been retrieved at each red cross blood center for every blood donors. The results were analyzed from January to December, 1998. RESULTS: About 60% (1,017) of 1,691 malaria patients in 1997 had donated their blood before diagnosis. The number of one time donation was 268; two time 289; more than three time was 460. Two hundred thirty six donors were checked by malaria registry file. In 236 donors, 92 cases were diagnosed with malaria, 96 cases were suspected to have malaria, 48 cases were namesakes. Conclusion: Because some malaria patients donate their blood after their diagnosis, it would be necessary to operate 'the computerized retrieving programme'to detect their donation after the diagnosis. Also, an education for malaria patients for their risk of transmitting malaria and strict history taking from donors for malaria will be required.