title: Haemoglobinopathies and β-Thalassaemia among the Tribals Working in the Tea Gardens of Assam, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of haemoglobinopathies and β-thalassaemia are very high in India but information about its status among the tribals working in the tea gardens of Assam is very less.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies and β-thalassaemia among the tribals working in the tea gardens of Assam.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total 1204 samples from the tribals working in tea gardens of Assam were analysed for both Complete Blood Count (CBC) and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for detection of haemoglobinopathies and β-thalassaemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study showed that the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia and β-thalassaemia were very high among this population. Our results indicated a higher prevalence of β-thalassaemia (3.07%) among the Munda ethnic group and higher prevalence of sickle cell anaemia (4.73%) among the Lohar ethnic group. This was the first study to report the presence of HbE among the tribals working in the tea gardens of Assam.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the present findings, sickle cell anaemia and β-thalassaemia were major health problem for the tribals working in the tea gardens of Assam. Proper diagnostic facilities for haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia should be established in these areas, including establishment of haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia database collection, haematological analysis laboratories, genetic counselling clinics, prenatal diagnosis centres and neonatal screening centres.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital , Jorhat, Assam, India .
authors.forename: Anju Barhai
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Teli
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College and Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India .
authors.forename: Rumi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deori
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Anatomy, Assam Medical College and Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India .
authors.forename: Sidhartha Protim
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Saikia
keywords: Haemoglobin E; High pressure liquid chromatography; Prevalence; Sickle cell anaemia