Malaria Prevalence Relative to Sociodemographic characteristics of ABO Blood groups and Haemoglobin genotypes of Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Facility at Kano Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria burden in Kano is high and reports on the prevalence of malaria and its association with socio-demographic factors, ABO and haemoglobin genotypes remain inconsistent. Aim: This research was designed to investigate the relationship between malaria prevalence and the socio-demographic as well as haemotological characteristics of patients. Facility – based independent cross sectional studies were performed at different periods, December 2012 – February 2013 and June – 2015 - January 2016. Methods: Blood sample collected from each of the 956 participants was examined by microscope to identify the Plasmodium species. The ABO blood groups were determined by agglutination using ERYCLONE antisera and haemoglobin genotypes by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Data on sociodemographic profile was collected using structured questionnaire. Chi- Squared and/or Fischer’s exact statistical tests were used to assess the association between malaria infection age, sex, knowledge, occupation use of LLINS, ABO and haemoglobin genotypes. Results: The cumulative malaria prevalence was 14.2%. The malaria positivity rate was higher among age group 1- 5 years (4.2%) and students (5.0%) and showed significant association with age (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.001) and intervention (p=0.001) but not with gender (p=0.283). Malaria infection was similar in blood group O (5. 9%) and A (5.85%) and strongly associated with blood group types. About 22.8%(n=218) were sickle cell heterozygotes (HbAS) and 3.0%(n=29) homozygotes HbSS. Malaria prevalence of 9.7% in HbAS group and 1.5% in HBSS were significantly(p=0.001) lower compared to HBAA. Conclusion: Based on this findings, it may be concluded that malaria prevalence is significantly associated with Age, blood group and hemoglobin genotype.