Hemoglobin Phenotype Variants among Voluntary Blood Donors at Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service

Introduction: A class of hereditary blood illnesses known as hemoglobinopathies continues to pose a serious threat to world health, especially in areas with high prevalence, such as sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure transfusion safety and address the particular public health issues of hemoglobinopathies, it is crucial to comprehend the distribution of hemoglobin phenotypic variants among voluntary blood donors.

Aim/Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the distribution and prevalence of hemoglobin phenotypic variations among willing blood donors at the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), one of Nigeria's largest blood suppliers.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at LSBTS in Lagos, Nigeria, with 200 volunteer donors. At random, participants were chosen from 20 blood donation camps. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25, hemoglobin electrophoresis was used to determine phenotypes, and structured questionnaires were used to gather demographic and health data.

Results: The hemoglobin phenotypes of 75% of the 200 donors were AA, 23% AS, and 2% AC. The majority (71.5%) were between the ages of 26 and 45 and were male. Demographic characteristics including age, sex, or hemoglobin levels did not significantly correlate with hemoglobin variations (p>0.05). The ethnic distribution revealed that Yoruba donors made up the majority (55.5%).

Conclusion: The safety of most blood donations is suggested by the high incidence of hemoglobin AA. To guarantee transfusion safety, thorough pre-donation screening is necessary, as evidenced by the existence of AS and AC variations.