PLASMA-FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN A SAMPLE OF BLACK-AND-WHITE ZIMBABWEAN BLOOD-DONORS

Previous comparative studies of plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks and whites in Africa have yielded variable results, with some researchers reporting no significant difference between the two groups, while oth ers have reported higher mean plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks. This present study compares plasma fibrinogen levels in healthy, urban bla ck and white male Zimbabwean blood donors. Our results show significan tly higher (p<0.005) plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks (3.05+/-0.18) compared to whites (2.43+/-0.13). The blacks also showed greater varia bility in their plasma fibrinogen levels.