Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Phenotypes Among Blood Donors at Bahir Dar Blood Bank, Amhara, Northwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Among the blood group antigens identified, ABO and Rhesus are the most important in transfusion medicine. ABO blood group antigens are the most immunogenic followed by Rhesus (D antigen). These blood groups’ frequency distribution varies among different regions and races of the world. This study aimed to identifying the frequency distribution of ABO blood group and rhesus factors among blood donors in Ethiopia.

Methods and Materials

Aretrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12/2019 to March 18/2021 at Bahir Dar blood bank service. After getting a permission letter from the blood bank, data were collected from the blood bank donor data registration system, and descriptive statistical results were presented in number (frequency) and percentage. A Chi-square test was used to show the difference in the frequency distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among sex and blood donation site.

Results

From 40,053 blood donors, 67.7% were males and younger donors (within the age range of 18–24 years) account for 63.7%. All donations were from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. The most common blood group was blood group O (41.5%) followed by A (29.8), B (23.2%), and AB (5.5%). Considering ABO and Rh blood group altogether blood group O positive with 37.9% was the predominant blood group followed by A positive (27.2%), B positive (21.4%), AB positive (5%), O negative (3.6%), A negative (2.6%), B negative (1.8%), and AB negative (0.4%). The majority of study participants were 91.5% Rh (D) positive.

Conclusion

This study showed that blood group O was the predominant followed by A, B, and AB and most of the blood donors’ blood groups were Rh-positive (91.5%). About 68.9% of the total donations were from the first time donor.

Keywords:

• ABO blood group
• rhesus factor
• frequency distribution

Abbreviations

°C, Degree Celsius; RBC, Red Blood Cells; RH, rhesus factor.

Data Sharing Statement

All relevant data are included in this document.

Ethical Considerations

We obtained a permission letter from Bahir Dar blood bank management bodies. Since we used secondary data, written informed consent was not obtained from each study participant.

Consent for Publication

Consent for publication of this work was found from Bahir Dar blood bank.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Bahir Dar blood bank laboratory staff for their cooperation during the data extraction process.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted, agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declared that there is no funding was obtained for this work.