Epidemiology of ABO and Rhesus blood group frequencies in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: public health and transfusion-relevant patterns

Authors

  • A. O. Daramola
    Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • T. J. Ajayi
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • O. S. Olusi
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • T. V. Olugbade
    Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • E. O. Aina
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • A. J. Folorunso
    Accident and Emergency Department, Rememer’s Health Centre, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria
  • B. M. Rotimi
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
  • K. S. Okonji
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria;
    Department of Health Sciences, University of the People, Pasadena, CA, USA

Keywords:

ABO blood group, Rh factor, Blood group distribution, Transfusion medicine, Nigeria

Abstract

ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group frequencies vary by population and are relevant to transfusion compatibility and blood-bank planning. This retrospective study describes the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups and their association with age and sex among 6,933 client records handled by the Blood Bank of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, during 2023. The cohort comprised 3,538 males (51.0%) and 3,395 females (49.0%); adults (18--64 years) accounted for 79.3% (5,499/6,933). Blood group O was the most frequent ABO phenotype (4,094; 59.1%), followed by A (1,361; 19.6%), B (1,293; 18.7%), and AB (185; 2.7%); 93.2% of clients were Rh-positive. O-positive was the most common combined phenotype (54.9%), and AB-negative was the least common (0.2%). ABO group distribution differed significantly by age group (χ2(12) = 60.8, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.05) and by sex (χ2(3) = 36.9, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.07); both effect sizes were small. Rh status showed no significant association with age (χ2(1) = 0.13, p = 0.714). Blood group O was more frequent among males (62.1%) than females (55.9%), whereas A, B, and AB were modestly more frequent among females. These findings, drawn from a single tertiary-hospital client population that includes donors, transfusion recipients, and routine attendees, provide baseline data to support age- and sex-informed blood-inventory planning and donor recruitment at EKSUTH. Given the cross-sectional, hospital-based design, the findings should not be generalized to the wider Ekiti State or Nigerian population, and any inference about disease susceptibility or survival requires dedicated outcome-based studies. 

Dimensions

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Published

2026-08-20

How to Cite

Epidemiology of ABO and Rhesus blood group frequencies in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: public health and transfusion-relevant patterns. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(3), 585. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.3.585

Issue

Volume 5, Issue 3, December 2026 (In progress)

Section

HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 A. O. Daramola, T. J. Ajayi, O. S. Olusi, T. V. Olugbade, E. O. Aina, A. J. Folorunso, B. M. Rotimi, K. S. Okonji

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Epidemiology of ABO and Rhesus blood group frequencies in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: public health and transfusion-relevant patterns. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(3), 585. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.3.585

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