Prevalence of sickle cell anemia, β-thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among the tribal population residing in the Aravali hills of Sirohi region of Rajasthan state

Abstract

Objective: The tribal population in India constitutes nearly 8.6% of its total population. Haemoglobinopathies is widely prevalent among the tribal population than the non-tribal communities in India. Due to its wide prevalence, haemoglobinopathies is a major cause of concern for the tribal health research in India. The present study was under taken to investigate the spectrum of hemoglobinopathies, in particular sickle cell anemia (SCA), among the primitive tribal groups of India. Methods: This is a cross sectional community based study and carried out in the Abu Road Block of Sirohi District. The study was conducted through medical camp at schools and villages. The screening of SCA, β-thalassemia and G6PD deficiency were carried out using solubility, NESTROFT and DPIP methods respectively. Confirmatory test for SCA and β-thalassemia was done by using CE-HPLC (Bio-Rad). The confirmatory test of G6PD deficiency was conducted through enzymatic assay. Results: A total of 7167 tribal individuals were screened for SCA and out of which 610 individuals were found to be SCA positive with a prevalence of 8.51%. The prevalence of β-thalassemia was recorded as 7.25%. The prevalence of SCA was found to be higher in Garasia tribes and β-thalassemia prevalence was higher in the Bhil community. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was found to be 2.88%. Conclusion: SCA, β-thalassemia and G6PD deficiency were prevalent among the tribal population of Rajasthan residing in the Aravali Hills of Sirohi. Mass screening and management of SCA is essential to ensure improve quality of life of affected tribal individuals.

Keywords

• β-Thalassemia
• Glucose-6-phospahate dehydrogenase
• Sickle cell disorder
• Tribe