Main Article Content
Prevalence of haemoglobin variants in Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Introduction: haemoglobinopathies account for a significant proportion of morbidity and mortality in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Objective: the main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of the major haemoglobin (Hb) variants in Benin City with the view to determining the burden of sickle cell disease in our environment, providing statistics that can be useful for haemoglobinopathy-related researches and in health planning.
Methods: this is a retrospective study. Results of haemoglobin electrophoresis of patients done at the haematology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City from May 2011 to May 2012 were analyzed.
Results: a total of 7,374 haemoglobin phenotype results were analyzed. Five thousand four hundred and thirty six (73.72%) were Hb AA, 1,710 (23.19%) were AS, 168(2.23%) were SS, 48(0.65%) were AC and 12(0.16%) were SC. The prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) was 2.39%.
Conclusion: The prevalence rates of the various Hb phenotypes in Benin City are similar to the national prevalence rate. However there are slight variations from one geographical region to another. There is need for continuous enlightenment on the inheritance of Hb phenotypes especially those associated with clinical disease in order to reduce the burden of haemoglobinopathies on our health system.
Objective: the main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of the major haemoglobin (Hb) variants in Benin City with the view to determining the burden of sickle cell disease in our environment, providing statistics that can be useful for haemoglobinopathy-related researches and in health planning.
Methods: this is a retrospective study. Results of haemoglobin electrophoresis of patients done at the haematology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City from May 2011 to May 2012 were analyzed.
Results: a total of 7,374 haemoglobin phenotype results were analyzed. Five thousand four hundred and thirty six (73.72%) were Hb AA, 1,710 (23.19%) were AS, 168(2.23%) were SS, 48(0.65%) were AC and 12(0.16%) were SC. The prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) was 2.39%.
Conclusion: The prevalence rates of the various Hb phenotypes in Benin City are similar to the national prevalence rate. However there are slight variations from one geographical region to another. There is need for continuous enlightenment on the inheritance of Hb phenotypes especially those associated with clinical disease in order to reduce the burden of haemoglobinopathies on our health system.
