HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PROFILES OF BLOOD DONORS AT RED CROSS CENTER IN ADDIS ABABA.

BACKGROUND: Physiological range of clinically important hematological laboratory values and lipid profiles of healthy population in Ethiopia is not well assessed.

OBJECTIVE: to determine hematologic and lipid profiles of healthy blood donors in Addis Ababa.

METHODS: Red Cross Society located in Addis Ababa was selected as a study area. 336 donors; age range between 18-58 years participated. Venous blood sample was collected by tube containing Ehtylenediaminetetraaceticacid tri potassium (EDTA) for hematology test and sterile tube for lipid test. After centrifugation serum was extracted for lipid test and transported to St. Pauls's Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) within 5-8hrs of sample collection. IBM.SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis, statistical significance was set at P< 0.05 and 95% CL was accepted.

RESULTS: Red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, platelet count and triglyceride level were significantly higher in the present study than the reference range. RBC indices, white blood cell, Hemoglobin, hematocrit, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were higher in the reference range used in clinical practice. Significantly higher red blood count (p = 0.000), Hg (p = 0.000), Hematocrit (p = 0.000) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.009) were observed in the male. Significantly higher platelet count and high density lipoprotein were observed among females (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). No significant change in hematological laboratory values and lipid profiles was seen across age groups.

CONCLUSION: It is evident from this study that hematological and lipid variables obtained were statistically significantly different from the reference range currently used in clinical practice.