title: Haematology reference values for healthy elderly blacks residing in Harare, Zimbabwe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine reference values for elderly blacks and to compare them to those in use in local hospitals and in other countries in the region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sekuru Kaguvi Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  151 persons of age 45 years or more.
  
  
  METHODS
  Haematological parameters investigated were Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Plt, RBC and WBC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  56 males and 95 females tok part in the study. RBC, Hb and Hct mean values were significantly higher (p=0.004, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) in males than in females. However, no significant differences between sexes were found in WBC (p=0.137), MCHC (p=0.273), MCV (p=0.090) and MCH (p=0.074). Platelet counts were significantly higher (p=0.040) in females [median (Q1, Q3): 251 (117, 478)] than in males, 226 (122, 251). These haematogological vales were notably different compared with those in current use in local hospitals. The mean values obtained for each index were comparable with those obtanied in other countries in the same region (Southern Africa) as Harare. The reference values for the elderly blacks are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of gender and population specific reference values cannot be over emphasised. The reference values obtained in the current study should be appropriate for evaluating haematological test results in elderly blacks in Zimbabwe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Department of Community Medicine, P O Box A 178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mangwendeza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mandisodza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siziya
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014504:Urban Health; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins