Title: A Community Based Sickle Cell Screening Program in Pilgrims Using Camp Approach

Author: Dr Manjusha Ashwinkumar Dhoble

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i11.91

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia is a common genetic condition due to haemoglobin disorder-inheritance of mutant haemoglobin genes from both or either parents. The carrier frequency of haemoglobinopathy varies between 3 and 17% in different populations of India. Though the prevalence is high, limited studies are available on this topic. As prevention is only solution, there is a need to screen the general population on mass basis.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of Sickle cell anemia among pilgrims in central India and to create awareness regarding Sickle cell anemia in general population.

Material and Method: The present cross sectional study was carried out at camps at Dikshabhoomi and Durgamata mandir, Nagpur in first week of October 2015; among visitors coming there. Health education regarding Sickle cell was given to them in small groups. Detailed clinical history was taken, Body Mass Index was calculated and intravenous blood samples were taken. Solubility test was done for Sickle cell anaemia and positive test samples were processed for electrophoresis for AS or AA type.

Result:  Prevalence of Sickle cell anemia was 6.25%, common in males and 11-30 years age group.

Conclusion: There is a need of mass screening for Sickle cell disease in general population from all the age groups and all the caste to prevent the spread and complications of Sickle cell disease.

Keywords: Sickle cell anemia, Solubility test, Caste, Hemoglobin disorder.

References

  1. Gorakshakar A. C, Epidemiology of Sickle Hemoglobin in India, 104 Proceeding of National Symposium on Tribal Health.
  2. Arjunan A., prevalence of the βeta-s gene and sickle cell disease in India, BS Biology, Case Western Reserve University, University of Pittsburgh, February 2013.
  1. Ndeezi G. Burden of sickle cell trait and disease in the Uganda Sickle Surveillance Study (US3): a cross-sectional study, volume 4, no. 3 e195–e200, March 2016
  1. Deore A.U. and  Zade S.B., Epidemiology of sickle cell disorder: The urban scenario in Maharashtra, India, International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 101-107, December, 2013.
  1. Dhumne UL, Jawade AA .Sickle Cell Anaemia and Morbidity in Rural Population of Chandrapur District, Maharashtra, India. Anthropologist. 2011;13(1):61-63.
  2. Dangi CBS, Sajid M, Sawke GK, Ambhore J. Sickle cell haemoglobin-opathies in district  Bhopal. Indian J Hum Genet.2010 May-Aug;16(2):100-102.
  3. Kohne E, Prof Dr. Med., Kleihauer E. Haemoglobinopathies: A Longitudinal Study Over Four Decades. Dtsch Arztebl Int.2010 February;107(5):65-71
  1. Mandot S.,Khurana V.L.And Sonesh J.K., Sickle Cell Anemia in Garasia Tribals of Rajasthan, Indian Pediatrics, Volume 46,March 17, 2009
  2. Deshmukh P, Garg BS, Garg N,Prajapati NC, Bharambe MS. Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disorders in Rural Wardha 2006;13(1):26-27.
  3. Kamble M, Chaturvedi P. Epidemiology of sickle cell disease in a rural hospital of central India. Indian Pediatr.2000 Apr;37(4):391-6.
  4. Doshi N, Chaudhary S, Shah N, Joshi T, Shah M, Singh U. Prevalence of sickle cell disorder in rural Pipalwada, Gujarat. National Journal of Community Medicine.2011 July-Sept;2(2):284-291.
  5. Mukherjee MB, Gangakhedkar RR. Physical growth of children with sickle cell disease. Indian Journal of Human Genetics.2004 July-Dec;10(2):70-72
  6. Patra PK, Chauhan VS, Khodiar PK, Dalla AR, Serjeant GR. Screening for the sickle cell gene in Chhatisgarh state, India:an approach to a major public health problem. J Community Genet.2011 September; 2(3):147-151.
  7. Chandrashekhar V, Soni M. Haemoglobin Disorders in South India. ISRN Hematol.2011; 2011:748939.
  8. Rajappa A.G.A. Haemoglobinopathies encountered at Khaula Hospital, Oman A retrospective study. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J.2008 March;8(1):59-62.
  9. Gupta RB. Sickle cell disease load in Madhya Pradesh. RMRCT Update.2006 April; 3(1):1-8.
  10. WHO 24 April 2006, Fifty –ninth world health assembly,A59/9 Sickle cell anaemia, Report by the secretariat.
  11. Colah R.B., Sickle cell disease in tribal populations in India, Indian J Med Res 141, May 2015, pp 509-515
  12. Sahu T, Sahani NC, Das S, Sahu SK. Sickle cell anaemia in tribal children of Gajapati district in South Orissa. Indian Journal of Community Medicine.2003 Oct-Dec; 28(4):180-183.
  13. Balgir RS. Spectrum of haemoglobinopathies in the state of Orissa, India:a ten years cohort study. J Assoc Physicians India.2005 Dec;53: 1021-6.
  14. Kate SL, Lingojwar DP. Epidemiology of Sickle Cell Disorder in the state of Maharashtra. Int J Hum Genet.2002 September;2(3):161-167.

Corresponding Author

Dr Manjusha Ashwinkumar Dhoble

33, Maske Layout ,Santaji Society, Narendra Nagar extension , Vivekanand Post, Nagpur 440015, India

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mobile no. -9881135456