Abstract:
A determination of the phenotypic frequencies of blood group systems C, c, E, e and Kell among the Namibian blood donors and pregnant women and the prevalence of these antigens in Namibia was carried out. Two thousand nine hundred and eight six blood donor specimens and four hundred and eighty-four specimens from pregnant women were randomly selected for antigen characterisation. Donated specimens that were processed for grouping and Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) by NaMBTS and ready for discard were collected by the researcher for testing.
The main aim was to determine the prevalence of C, c, E, e and Kell antigens among the Namibia blood donors and pregnant women and advice NaMBTS and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) on the findings in order to improve the outcome of patients who will be receiving donated blood and the pregnant women. This was to lay the foundation for further studies to establish a database for typed donors in Namibia and then store blood that is antigen negative and reduce the risks of Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and the New-born (HDFN) and Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction (HTR). In some cases, the survival of the red blood cells that will have been transfused is shortened by the effect of transfused antigens. This is the first time this research has been carried out in Namibia.
