THE DISTRIBUTION OF ABO AND RHESUS D BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS IN NEMBE COMMUNITY OF BAYELSA STATE

CLEMENT K. OKPORA

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Email address: Okpobrows2006@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the distribution of ABO and Rhesus D blood group antigens in Nembe community of Bayelsa State in Nigeria. A total of 204 students in a coeducational institution in Nembe community were used in this study. They were  made up of 124 males and 80 females. 5.0mls of blood were collected from each of the patient by venepuncture and transferred into a bottle containing EDTA. Fresh red cell suspension and 20% suspension of known A, B and Rhesus D antigens were prepared. Tile agglutiaion technique was used in the determination of ABO and Rh.D grouping system. The resuls showed that for the distribution of ABO Groups in the studied population 66 (32.3%) of the males were group O which was the highest while 6(2.9%) of the males were AB which was the least. For the females 28(13.7%) were group O and the same number of females had group A also which was the highest while the least number of 2(0.9) females were group AB. None of the 123 males, 116(56.8%) were Rh.D positive while 8(3.9%) were Rh.D negative. And out of 90 females 74(36.2) were Rh.D positive while 6(2.9%) were Rh.D negative. The frequency distribution of Rh.D positive and Rh.D negative subjects in ABO blood groups in males, females and in the total subjects studied were assessed, the result showed that blood group O had the highest number and frequency of Rh.D positive and negative in all the above parameters assessed. On the basis of the findings the study therefore concludes that blood group “O” and Rh.D positive are the most common and prevalent blood group antigens in Nembe community of Bayelsa State.Keywords: Antigens, ABO Rh.D, Distribution, Agglutination and Blood