A Study of Haematological Profile of Medical and Paramedical Students in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital with Special Reference to Anaemia and Haemoglobinopathies

BACKGROUND In India, over half of women and 24% of men suffer from anaemia. Classification plays an important role in anaemia. The study was undertaken to screen about anaemia and haemoglobinopathies among young medical and paramedical students of Notrh Bengal Medical College who are likely to make their family in recent future. METHODS In our hospital based cross-sectional study, 500 medical and paramedical students of North Bengal Medical College were screened for anaemia and haemoglobinopathies for a period of one year. RESULTS Anaemia is more prevalent in the study population. Anaemia has no significant association with BMI and socioeconomic status. Most common morphological pattern of anaemia among anaemics is microcytic hypochromic anaemia. HbE and its derivatives are the most commonly observed abnormal Hb pattern and found to be predominant among Rajbanshis followed by Beta thalassemia trait. CONCLUSIONS Pre-marital screening plays a very important role in prevention of haemoglobinopathies. This observation emphasizes the importance of large-scale community-based awareness programme, campaign and carrier screening programme to reduce the burden of this global health problem in North Bengal.