Frequency and Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Blood Groups in Women of a Degree College

Abstract

Background ABO and Rh Blood grouping systems are the most commonly used blood grouping systems in transfusion medicine despite the long list of several other blood groups discovered so far. They are genetically inherited and play a vital role in blood transfusions population genetic studies paternity testing anthropology and addressing medico legal issues.Aim To determine the distribution and frequency of ABO and Rhesus Rh blood groups in women studying in a Degree College.Material and Methods This study is a cross-sectional observational study which was conducted in a womenrsquos Degree College in Harihara. Students who consented for blood group testing were included in the study. Grouping was done by slide agglutination method using capillary blood obtained by finger prick. Standard antisera A B and D were used. Age of the individuals and their blood groups were noted down for analysis. Results were expressed in numbers and percentage.Results 351 students participated in the study. lsquoBrsquo and lsquoOrsquo formed the most common blood groups accounting for 34.2 and 33.7 respectively. Blood group lsquoArsquo accounted for 21.9 whereas lsquoABrsquo was the least common with 10.3. 96.9 students were Rhesus positive whereas only 3.1 were Rhesus negative.Conclusion Most frequently occurring blood groups were lsquoBrsquo and lsquoOrsquo whereas lsquoABrsquo was the least common blood group in the ABO system. Rhesus Rh positive blood group was significantly higher than the Rhesus Rh negative blood group.