ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of beta-thalassemia carriers in healthy population from Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir
Methods: In this cross sectional population based study, people from Muzaffarabad were motivated to get themselves tested for beta thalassemia trait. People found healthy on basis of a questionnaire and clinical examination were included in the study. Complete blood counts and peripheral smear review were performed on EDTA samples. Hemoglobin [Hb] electrophoresis was performed. Subjects with mean corpuscular volume [MCV], <76 fl, and/or mean corpuscular Hb [MCH], < 27 pg were subjected to hemoglobin A2 [HbA2] level estimation by elution method. Hemoglobin A2 of more than 3.5% was considered diagnostic for beta-thalassemia trait. Azad Kashmir is a territory with considerable ethnic heterogeneity. This is basically a tribal society with a high proposition of consanguineous marriages. We created awareness among the general population
Results: Found that gene is present in almost all tribes studied
Conclusion: Using strict criteria for healthy population, we conclude that incidence of thalassemia trait is 5.6 % in our study population. beta -thalassemia trait is present in almost all ethnic groups. To control thalassemia major, screening program for thalassemia carriers must be initiated in the area