Haemoglobin Genotype, ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Distribution in Briggs Family of Abonnema, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of haemoglobin genotype, ABO and Rhesus blood groups amongst members of the Briggs family in Akulga Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, field-based study carried out in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State. All samples were analyzed at the Haematology Laboratory, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between June and August, 2018.

Methodology: Haemoglobin genotype was done through electrophoresis using the cellulose acetate method and ABO and Rhesus blood groups using the tube method. Blood samples were collected from a total of 100 members of Briggs family (59 males and 41 females (age 6 to 60 years).

Results: The data collated revealed that the ABO blood group frequencies were O Rhesus D positive 56%; A Rhesus D positive 24%; B Rhesus D positive 17% and AB Rhesus D positive 3% among members of the Briggs family with no Rhesus D negative subject. HbAA was the commonest haemoglobin genotype, possessed by 80% of the subjects, followed by HbAS with a prevalence of 20%. There was no subject with HbSS.

Conclusion: Greater percentage of members of the Briggs family was of blood group O Rhesus D positive and haemoglobin genotype AA. There was no Rhesus D negative and haemoglobin SS genotype, in the sampled population and considering the fact that Briggs compound or family is like a village in Abonnema, this finding is so unique in that there are social and medical advantages it offers in health (sickle cell disease) and selection of spouses.