Title : Prevalence and distribution of anaemia among various ABO blood groups among patients attending Buea regional hospital, Cameroon

Background:  Anaemia remains a major public health challenge worldwide, affecting approximately two billion people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Recent studies have suggested possible associations between ABO blood groups and susceptibility to certain diseases, including anaemia. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of anaemia among different ABO blood groups among patients attending Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon.

Methods:  An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Buea Regional Hospital between February and April 2025. A total of 198 participants of different ages, sexes, and ABO blood groups were recruited. Socio-demographic and clinical information was collected using structured questionnaires. Venous blood samples were collected for complete blood count analysis using an automated haematology analyser, while ABO and Rh blood grouping were performed using standard agglutination techniques. Anaemia was classified according to World Health Organization haemoglobin criteria. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results:  The overall prevalence of anaemia was 62.6%. Moderate anaemia accounted for the highest proportion of cases (69.4%), followed by mild anaemia (25.8%) and severe anaemia (4.8%). Microcytic anaemia was the predominant morphological type, representing 54.0% of anaemic cases. Blood group distribution among participants was O (79.8%), A (10.1%), B (7.1%), and AB (3.0%). Although anaemia was more frequently observed among participants with blood groups O and AB, no statistically significant association was found between ABO blood group and anaemia prevalence (p = 0.900).

Conclusion:  Anaemia remains highly prevalent among patients attending Buea Regional Hospital, with microcytic anaemia being the most common form. Despite variations in prevalence across blood groups, no significant association was observed between ABO blood group and anaemia. These findings highlight the continuing burden of anaemia in Cameroon and underscore the need for strengthened screening, prevention, and management strategies.

Keywords:  Anaemia; ABO Blood Group; Prevalence; Haemoglobin; Cameroon.

FUANYI ROSE-MARY A. is a Medical Laboratory Scientist and graduate of the University of Buea, Cameroon. Her research interests include epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and laboratory medicine.