Prevalence of Anemia and Abnormal Hemoglobin Typing Results in Hill Tribe Women in Nan, Thailand
Kamoltip Lertchaisataporn1, Waraphorn Krongthong2, Derek Sutdan3, Kitisak Kasetsinsombat4, Chalermpol Pongpichit5, Nuttavut Kantathavorn1,6, Usanee Chatchotikawong1, Prassanee Sattayarungsee7, Siriporn Saeloo2, Juthamas Mungdee2, Chirayu Auewarakul6
Affiliation : 1 Chulabhorn Hospital, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand, 2 Division of Research and International Relations, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 Tha Wang Pha Hospital, Nan, Thailand, 4 Pua Crown Prince Hospital, Nan, Thailand, 5 Bo Kluea Hospital, Nan, Thailand, 6 Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand, 7 Nursing Division, Chulabhorn Hospital, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin types among hill tribe women of Nan Province, Thailand.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 658 women from Hmong, Khamu, Lua, Mien and Mlabri hill tribes who lived in Tha Wang Pha, Pua and Bo Kluea Districts of Nan Province. Complete blood counts and hemoglobin typing were performed.
Results: The prevalence of anemia in the overall group was 12.5%. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of anemia were detected in Mlabri (42.9%) and Mien women (9.5%). In the overall group the prevalence of hemoglobin E traits was 9.1% and beta-thalassemia was 2.1%. Khamu women had the highest prevalence (8.3%) of beta-thalassemia trait whereas Lua and Mlabri women had a higher prevalence of hemoglobin E trait (14.4% and 14.3%, respectively) than other tribes.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia and abnormal hemoglobin typing among hill tribe women of Nan Province in northern Thailand varied among hill tribes. These data may be beneficial for the prevention and control of thalassemia in hill tribe population and in genetic counseling.
doi.org/10.35755/jmedassocthai.2021.S02.12568
Keywords : Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, Thalassemia, Hill tribes, Nan Province
