Screening for the sickle cell gene in Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, India: an approach to a major public health problem

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of large-scale population screening for the sickle cell gene in different areas of Yavatmal District. A program designed to detect the sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease has screened 7568 subjects among several villages and in Yavatmal District of Maharashtra State. The subjects were screened by solubility test and positive samples were subjected to cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, used for the diagnosis of sickle cell disease under the sickle cell disease control program held on Jan 2010 to Dec 2014 by SVNGMC Yavatmal. Among total (7568) samples were screened, 1621 (21.41%) were detected with the sickle cell trait and 978 (12.92%) with heterozygous (Hb AS) and 593 (7.89%) with homozygous (Hb SS) sickle cell disease as well as 259 (3.4%) cases were found with other Hb. Out of total positive cases, 53.30% were female and 46.69% were male. The prevalence was found to be more in age group (1 month to 20 years) compared to other age groups. The caste wise distribution of solubility test confirmed samples were SC-52.06%, ST-20.17%, NT -16.34%, OBC-8.45%, SBC-1.97%, Open-0.98%. The study concludes that the prevalence of sickle cell disease among backward classes in Yavatmal district is more especially in schedule caste (SC) in comparison to general or open category with higher prevalence among female subjects.