Seroprevalence of HIV and Frequencies of Haemoglobin Genotypes; ABO and Rh Blood Groups among Premarital Couples in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Premarital screening is fast gaining grounds as a pre-requisite condition for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith based organizations in Nigeria yet there is scanty literature on the subject.Methods: Fifty (50) premarital heterosexual couples (50 males and 50 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); haemoglobin genotypes; ABO and Rh blood groups using standard laboratory procedures.Results:The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 2.0. The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotypes were as follows; HbAA (72); HbAS (26) and HbAC (2.0) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were group A (22); B (14); AB (0); 0 (64); Rh 'D' Positive (96) and Rh 'D' Negative (4.0). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant. (?2 = 21.630; p 0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows; HbAA/AA (52); AA/AS (36); AA/AC (4.0) and AS/AS (8.0). This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (? 2