A Study on the Prevalence of Rhesus Factor among Women around Thanjavur

A community-based study was carried out on blood groups representing a random population sample from Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu. The objective was to determine the frequency of different blood groups in the region which would not only help in blood transfusion services but also eliminate the risk of erythroblastosis fetalis in the neonates. Data regarding the blood group details of women admitted to the labour ward (Ward 128) of Rajah Mirasdar Government Hospital, Thanjavur from January 2008 to December 2008 for delivery were collected. A total number of 3226 subjects were found to be admitted during the study period of twelve months. Among the 3226 women admitted during 2008, 806 belonged to A group, the percentage among the whole population being 24.98;among the 806 women with A group, 654 were with A+ making a percentage of 24.40 of Rh+ population and 152 women were with A- type making up to 27.84% of Rh- population.1032 women were of B group with 31.99% of the population; among the 1032,889 belong to B+ making a percentage of 33.17 of Rh+ population;143 were B- making 26.19 percentage of of Rh- population. Among the 3226,331 women were of AB group making a percentage of 10.26;among the 331,234 were of AB+ making a percentage of 8.73 of the Rh+ population and 97 being AB- making up to 17.77% of the Rh- population. Among the 3226 women studied 1057 were with O group making 32.77 % of the population; among the 1057, O+ were 903 and their percentage being 33.70 of the Rh+ population and O- being 154 with 28.20 % of the Rh- population .In the wholepopulation of 3226 women, a total number of 2680 were of Rh+ type making up to 83.08% of the whole population; 546 were with Rh- type making up to 16.92% of the population. Thus the study shows a significantly higher frequency of Rh+ individuals following the global trend. Rh incompatibility encountered is also rare due to various reasons .An association of complications like erythroblastosis fetalis with Rh blood group would make the data generated by the study to be useful for health planners, while making efforts to face the future health challenges in the region.