(P-TS-114) Silent Risks in the Blood Supply: Prevalence of Co-Inherited G6PD Deficiency and Sickle Cell Trait Among Donors in a Ghanaian Tertiary Hospital

Background/Case Studies: Blood transfusion is essential for saving lives; however, hidden risks may exist in donated blood, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where red cell disorders such as Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) are prevalent yet often undetected in routine screening. Although typically asymptomatic, both can impair red cell survival under oxidative stress, potentially harming vulnerable recipients such as neonates or individuals who are chronically transfused. While each condition is well-studied individually, data on their co-inheritance among blood donors is scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and SCT co-inheritance among voluntary donors at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana, and its implications for transfusion safety.

Study

Design/Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2023 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Using simple random sampling, 250 donors aged 16–50 were selected. Exclusion criteria included recent transfusions and medications affecting G6PD activity. After informed consent, participants completed structured questionnaires. Blood samples (4 ml) were analysed for G6PD status using the methaemoglobin reduction test, sickling via sodium metabisulphite, and haemoglobin electrophoresis. Data were analysed using SPSS v26.0; p-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results/Findings: Of the 250 donors (mean age 21.8 ± 6.3 years), most were female (58.4%), students (73.6%), first-time donors (69.6%), and unaware of their G6PD (98.4%), blood group (66.8%), or sickling status (94.0%). Awareness of transfusion-transmissible infections was low (71.6%). Laboratory testing revealed 13.2% had full G6PD deficiency, 22.0% carried sickle cell traits (predominantly Hb AS), and 6.0% co-inherited both. Blood group O Rh D positive was most common (57.2%). Significant sex differences were found in FBC parameters (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The co-inheritance of G6PD deficiency and SCT, though relatively uncommon, presents a potential risk to transfusion recipients, particularly in resource-limited settings. Combined with the low awareness among donors, this highlights the need for enhanced donor education, pre-donation counselling, and the implementation of targeted genetic screening policies to improve transfusion safety.