Haemoglobin genotypes: a prevalence study and implications for reproductive health in Uyo, Nigeria

Haemoglobinopathies are among the most common genetic disorders worldwide, inherited as autosomal recessive disorders from healthy-carrier parents. The most common are the sickle cell disorders and the thalassaemias, occurring in people of African, Asian, South European and Middle Eastern descent. The University of Uyo Teaching hospital (UUTH), Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria is a tertiary health institution providing the health needs of the host and neighbouring states in south-south and south east Nigeria. There is currently paucity of data on the hoemoglobin genotype distribution in Akwa Ibom State, hence the need for this study, considering its importance in medical diagnosis, parentent management, genetic information and counselling.