Abstract

ABO and Rhesus blood group antigens are inherited genetic markers in human blood. Haemoglobin is an
efficient transporter of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs for
exhalation. The study was to determine the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood groups among secondary
school female students. The blood samples of 107 secondary school students at Bishops girls’ Secondary School
Rushere kiruhura Southwestern Uganda between July to August, 2023 were collected and their haemoglobin
genotypes were determined using HemoTypeSC™ rapid test kit and ABO and Rhesus blood groups were
determined by a standard tube method. Results. The frequencies of ABO blood groups among the study
population were 20 (18.5%), 24 (22.5%), 06 (5.4%) and 57 (53.6%) for blood group A, B, AB, and O respectively.
Also, the distribution of Rhesus (D) positive and Rhesus (D) negative were reported as 98 (91.6%) and 9 (8.4%)
each. There was no association between ABO, Rhesus (D) and Hb genotypes observed. Data revealed that Rhesus
(D) positive students were statistically higher in number compared to the Rhesus (D) negative students
(p=0.000). The sequence of ABO distribution among the rural population in southwestern Uganda is; O > A >
B > AB. The frequency of Rhesus (D) negative is very low among secondary school students at Bishops’ Girls
Secondary School Rushere Kiruhura Southwestern Uganda
Keywords: blood groups, ABO blood group, Rh group, Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn