Prevalence of haemoglobin variants among the Ika ethnic nationality of Delta state

Abstract

Background: Haemoglobin genotype is an important blood component that determines haemoglobinopathies. Distribution of haemoglobin variants was investigated among the Ika ethnic nationality of Delta State, Nigeria.
Aim: The resent study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoglobin variants and also to provide information for instituting genetic counseling services to reduce haemoglobinopathies between couples. Methods: A total of 600 subjects were screened for haemoglobin genotypes using paper electrophoresis.
Results: The prevalence of HbAA, HbAS, HbAC and HbSS were 78%, 19.5%, 0.5% and 2% respectively. There was no relationship (P˃0.05) between sex and haemoglobin variants. There was a low prevalence of abnormal haemoglobin variants observed which is consistent with previous studies. Conclusion: The sickle cell trait (HbAS) is the largest variant in this population; we therefore advocate mandatory haemglobin genotype screening for all intending couples in order to reduce the sickling gene pool.

Keywords: Haemoglobin variant; haemoglobinopathies;
prevalence; genotype; deoxyribonucleic acid; electrophoresis