Prevalence of Rhesus-D negativity among antenatal attendees in Central Hospital Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rhesus-D (Rh-D) negativity is a critical determinant in transfusion medicine and maternal-foetal health due to its association with haemolytic disease of the newborn and transfusion reactions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Rh-D negativity among antenatal attendees at Central Hospital Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, and provide insights into the distribution of ABO and Rh-D blood groups within this population. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 400 antenatal attendees were systematically selected. Blood samples were analyzed using the slide agglutination method to determine ABO and Rh-D blood groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage distributions. The prevalence of Rh-D negativity among the study population was 14.5%, with 85.5% being Rh-D positive. The O+ blood group was the most prevalent (53.5%), followed by A+ (14.5%) and B+ (12.8%). Rare blood groups included AB- (1.0%) and A- (3.5%). The prevalence of Rh-D negativity in this study is notably higher than the national average reported in Nigeria (2.5–9.5%), suggesting potential regional or genetic influences. These findings underscore the need for targeted antenatal interventions, including early blood typing and counseling for Rh-D negative women, to prevent complications related to Rh incompatibility. Further research is recommended to explore the genetic and demographic factors underlying this higher prevalence.