SICKLE CELL TRAIT FREQUENCIES IN BLOOD DONORS AND ITS EFFECT AMONG RECEPIENTS IN BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Sickle cell trait blood can cause complications in transfused patients. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of sickle cell trait among the blood donors and its impact in transfused patients in Bungoma County. Design: A cross sectional study targeting healthy blood donors and patients transfused with sickle cell trait blood in Bungoma County from January 2019 to January 2020. Participants: A total of 350 blood donors and 10 patients transfused with sickle cell trait blood were enrolled. Results: The sickle cell trait prevalence amongst the blood donor population in Bungoma County was deduced to be 14.28 %.White, red blood cell counts,haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration parameters were not affected in patients transfused with sickle cell trait blood ( p = 0.466, 0.980, 0.787, 0.886, 0.971, 0.476 and 0.524).Also, liver function tests in the same patients was not affected ( p= 0.2193, 0.4678, 0.3052 and 0.7263) respectively for Alanine, Aspartate, Direct and Total Bilirubin levels respectively. Conclusion: There were no clinical abnormalities in patients transfused with sickle cell trait, however it was observed that acquired haemoglobin AS (Sickle cell trait) was detected among the transfused population.