Abstract:
Thalassemia and sickle cell disease constitute the most monogenic hemoglobin (Hb) disorders
worldwide. Clinical symptoms of a+-thalassemia (a+-thal) are related to inadequate Hb
production and accumulation of b- and/or g-globin subunits. The association of thalassemia
with malaria remains contentious, though from its distribution it appears to have offered some
protection against the disease. Data on the prevalence of thalassemia in Ghana and its link with
malaria is scanty and restricted. It was an objective of this cross-sectional study to determine
the prevalence of thalassemia in areas representing two of Ghana’s distinct ecological zones.
The relationship between thalassemia and Plasmodium falciparium (P. falciparum) infection was
also ascertained. Overall, 277 patients presenting to health facilities in the study areas were
recruited to participate. Tests were carried out to determine the presence of a+-thal, sickle cell
and malaria parasites in the blood samples of participants. The outcome of this study showed
an a+-thal frequency of 19.9% for heterozygotes ( a/aa) and 6.8% for homozygotes ( a/ a).
Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 17.7% of the overall study population and 14.9% in
those with a+-thal. No association was observed between those with a+-thal and the study sites
(p40.05). A test of the Hardy-Weinberg law yielded no significant difference (p50.001).
Findings from this study suggest a modest distribution of a+-thal in Ghana with no bias to the
ecological zones. Although the prevalence and parasite density were relatively low in those
with the disorder, no association was found between them.
