Assessment of the Prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) Deficiency among Patients in Harare

Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is widely
associated with oxidant induced haemolytic episodes, especially in
people on malaria treatment. A cross sectional study on the prevalence
of G6PD deficiency in was carried out on 200 blood samples from
various private surgeries and three major Hospitals in Harare during
October and November, 2001. The blood samples were screened for the
prevalence of G6PD deficiency using the NAPD oxidoreductase method.
One hundred and eight (54%) were males and 92 (46%) were females. A
p-value of 0.1096 indicated no statistically significant difference between
the two sexes. Twenty-three out of the 200 (12 %) were G-6-PD deficient
while the remainder 177 (88%) were found to be normal. Stratifying the
23 optical density values of the deficient samples in this study showed
that four (17%) had values equal to and more than (>) 0.400 indicating
severe deficiency and 19 (83%) had values between 0.330 and less than
0.400 indicating mild deficiency. Optical density stratification may give
a possible grading system in the deficiency rates. A well planned, large
and more controlled research study is required to assess G6PD deficiency
in Zimbabwe more effectively.

Key words: Glucose-6-phosphate, oxidant, haemolysis, malaria, optical density