THE DISTRIBUTION OF RHESUS E AND e BLOOD GROUP ANTIGEN AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTE NATAL CARE AT CENTRAL HOSPITAL BENIN CITY
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Abstract
The Rhesus (Rh) blood group system is one of the most clinically significant after the ABO
system, with the E and e antigens playing important roles in transfusion medicine and
maternal-fetal health. This study assessed the distribution of Rhesus E and e antigens among
pregnant women attending antenatal care at Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A crosssectional
study design was employed, and a total of 100 pregnant women were recruited. Data
on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected through structured proformas,
and blood samples were analyzed for the presence of Rh E and e antigens using standard
serological techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, with
descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests applied; significance was set at p < 0.05.
The majority of participants were aged 26–35 years (62.0%), of Bini ethnicity (40.0%), and
engaged in business (63.0%). Clinically, 32.0% were nulliparous, 53.0% were in their second
trimester, and 31.0% were in their first pregnancy. The prevalence of Rhesus E antigen was
15.0%, while Rhesus e antigen was observed in 91.0% of participants. Analysis revealed no
statistically significant associations between sociodemographic variables and the prevalence of
either antigen (p > 0.05). However, a significant association was found between parity and
Rhesus e antigen distribution (X² = 11.35, df = 5, p = 0.045), with higher positivity observed
among women with parity zero and one.
The findings indicate that while Rhesus e antigen is highly prevalent among pregnant women in
Benin City, Rhesus E antigen remains relatively low. The significant link between parity and
Rhesus e antigen suggests that parity may influence antigen distribution in this population.
These results underscore the need for continued monitoring of Rh antigen patterns in pregnant
women to inform transfusion services and obstetric care.
system, with the E and e antigens playing important roles in transfusion medicine and
maternal-fetal health. This study assessed the distribution of Rhesus E and e antigens among
pregnant women attending antenatal care at Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A crosssectional
study design was employed, and a total of 100 pregnant women were recruited. Data
on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected through structured proformas,
and blood samples were analyzed for the presence of Rh E and e antigens using standard
serological techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, with
descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests applied; significance was set at p < 0.05.
The majority of participants were aged 26–35 years (62.0%), of Bini ethnicity (40.0%), and
engaged in business (63.0%). Clinically, 32.0% were nulliparous, 53.0% were in their second
trimester, and 31.0% were in their first pregnancy. The prevalence of Rhesus E antigen was
15.0%, while Rhesus e antigen was observed in 91.0% of participants. Analysis revealed no
statistically significant associations between sociodemographic variables and the prevalence of
either antigen (p > 0.05). However, a significant association was found between parity and
Rhesus e antigen distribution (X² = 11.35, df = 5, p = 0.045), with higher positivity observed
among women with parity zero and one.
The findings indicate that while Rhesus e antigen is highly prevalent among pregnant women in
Benin City, Rhesus E antigen remains relatively low. The significant link between parity and
Rhesus e antigen suggests that parity may influence antigen distribution in this population.
These results underscore the need for continued monitoring of Rh antigen patterns in pregnant
women to inform transfusion services and obstetric care.
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