Distribution of Abo and Rhesus Blood Groups among First Year Students in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study aims to examine the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood group among first year students in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. ABO and Rhesus phenotyping was carried out using standard tube technique. Of the 781 subjects tested, 480 (61.5 %) were of blood group O, 144 (18.4 %) were blood group A, while 138 (17.7 %) and 19 (2.40 %) were group B and AB respectively. 742 (95.01 %) were Rhesus D positive while 39 (4.99 %) were Rhesus D negative. When comparing ABO blood group distribution among different departments, O blood group was higher among Health Information Department (20.74 %). Health Information Department had the highest AB, B and A blood group of 0.64 %, 5.89 % and 5.63 respectively. Also, Health Information Department had the highest percentage (30.47 %) of Rhesus 'D' positive blood group and 2.43 % of Rhesus 'D' negative blood group. ABO blood groups among gender shows a higher prevalence among female students with a percentage of 52.11 %, 15.75 %, 14.85 % and 2.40 % for blood groups O, A, B and AB respectively compared to male students, 9.35 %, 2.69 %, 2.82 % and 0 %. In first year students of College of Health Technology, Calabar, gene frequencies with respect to the ABO system shows a formula Ogreater thanAgreater thanBgreater thanAB indicating high prevalence of 'O' blood group and a predominance of allele A over allele B. Health Information Department had the highest prevalence of ABO and Rhesus D positive blood groups. Information obtained in this study will help in providing genetic counselling, medical diagnosis and in planning for future health challenges especially in blood transfusion.