Assessment of the Prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) Deficiency among Patients in Harare

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is widely associated with oxidant induced haemolytic episodes, especially in people on malaria treatment. A cross sectional study on the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in was carried out on 200 blood samples from various private surgeries and three major Hospitals in Harare during October and November, 2001. The blood samples were screened for the prevalence of G6PD deficiency using the NAPD oxidoreductase method. One hundred and eight (54%) were males and 92 (46%) were females. A p-value of 0.1096 indicated no statistically significant difference between the two sexes. Twenty-three out of the 200 (12 %) were G-6-PD deficient while the remainder 177 (88%) were found to be normal. Stratifying the 23 optical density values of the deficient samples in this study showed that four (17%) had values equal to and more than (>) 0.400 indicating severe deficiency and 19 (83%) had values between 0.330 and less than 0.400 indicating mild deficiency. Optical density stratification may give a possible grading system in the deficiency rates. A well planned, large and more controlled research study is required to assess G6PD deficiency in Zimbabwe more effectively. Key words : Glucose-6-phosphate, oxidant, haemolysis, malaria, optical density