Title:
DISTRIBUTION OF ABO - RHESUS BLOOD GROUPS AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN VOLUNTEER BLOOD DONATIONS IN KISANGANI, NORTHEAST OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)

Authors:
Mokoto Lokoni Véronique, Esengo Lomboto Naomie, Tagoto Tepungipame Alliance, Kambale Kombi Paul, Wembakoy Okolongo Albert, Manya Wembonyama Dieudonné and Kayembe Tshilumba Charles

Abstract:
Introduction: Knowledge of the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood groups at the local and/or regional level is of imperative importance in the management of blood banks and transfusion safety services. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood groups among volunteer blood donors monitored at the Provincial Blood Transfusion Center (PBTC) and the frequency of participation of women. Methods. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out on 198 volunteer blood donors at the PBTC during the month of March 2022. The blood group was determined by the agglutination technique by looking for the antigens carried by the red blood cells of the subject tested using anti-A, anti-B, antiAB and anti-D antisera. The calculation of percentage and mean ± standard deviation (SD) was used for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. The results were presented in tables and graphs. Results. The majority of respondents (88.8%) were aged from 20 to 34 years. The average age was 27.02 ± 7.45 years, with a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 65 years. Blood group O+ represented 49.5%, A + group:26.8%, B + group:16.7% and AB+ group: 5.6% of donors. Three cases were Rh negative and all of them were all male. Only 3 out of 198 donors or 1.5% were female. Conclusion. the PBTC of Kisangani is functioning normally. However, the proportion of female donors is very low compared to other countries. Awareness campaigns for women are important in order to increase their numbers in donating blood.

Keywords:
ABO and Rhesus blood groups, transfusion center, voluntary blood donors, DRC.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52267/IJASER.2023.4606