Distribution Of Sickle Cell Trait in ABO/Rhesus Blood Types Among Voluntary Blood Donors in Bungoma County, Kenya.

Abstract

 Background: Sickle cell trait is a haematological inherited disorder wide spread in several geographical regions. Individuals carrying sickle cell trait genes are asymptomatic and are eligible for blood donation; however, blood donated by these individuals is contraindicated in patients suffering sickle cell anaemia, acidosis and neonates.

Materials and methods: A cross - sectional study carried out in Bungoma County from January to March 2019 enrolled 350 individuals who were screened for haemoglobin S and ABO/Rhesus blood types.  Agglutination techniques were applied for ABO/Rhesus blood grouping and hemoglobin S screening was processed by Sodium metabisulphite and Sickle SCAN methods.  Participants consented to the study while ethical approvals were sought from relevant authorities. Results: The prevalence of sickle cell trait among blood donors was 14.29%. Sickle cell distribution in Blood groups O, A, B and AB was 12.8%, 14.5 %, 17.7 % and 12.8 % respectively, also there was no relationship between ABO blood groups and sickle cell trait, χ2 = 2.029, P = 0.566.

Conclusion.  The Sickle cell trait is prevalent in the blood donor population, and therefore, there is need to screen blood donors or donated blood for haemoglobin S before transfusing vulnerable patients.