THE HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF URBAN BLACK-AFRICANS AGED 15-64 YEARS INTHE CAPE-PENINSULA

A stratified probability sample (n=986) with quotas was drawn from bla ck residential areas in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, Subjects (n= 819) aged 15-64 years, participated in a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor survey, the BRISK Study. Nutritional status and prevalence of CHD was determined in this population undergoing rapid urbanizatio n. Full blood and differential white blood cell counts provided data t o calculate population reference values based on the 95% reference lim its of the haematological parameter. Mean haemoglobin concentrations ( Hb) in men (14.0 g/dl) and women (124 g/dl) were +/-1.5 g/dl lower tha n previous South African reports. Mean BRISK Hb values were very simil ar to the World Health Organization's Hb cutoff criteria (< 13 g/dl me n; < 12 g/dl women), indicating a possible high prevalence of anaemia, Significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean values for red cell indices were confirmed in men, which also reflected equally higher red blood cell counts (RBC), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values, Mean Hb values were significantly lower in the younger (15-24 years) and older (55-64 years) men compared with 25-54 year-olds (P < 0.05), Hypochromic microcytic anaemia was more prevalent in women, po ssibly due to iron deficiency (ID), while macrocytic anaemia was more prevalent in men, No significant differences were noted in mean total and differential white blood cell counts (WBC) between men and women, Haematological values were notably different compared with previously published reference values (95% coverage) for 'healthy' black South Af ricans (Basotho) and textbook values based mainly on white populations , emphasizing the importance of age, gender and population-specific re ference values, The well-documented apparent neutropenia in black Afri cans was confirmed, Chronic inflammatory disease, helminthic manifesta tion and anaemia could have influenced their health status physical de velopment and productivity adversely, Prevention and screening strateg ies for early detection of ID and anaemia should be considered routine ly in primary health care services.