Knowledge on blood group phenotypes is of key importance in clinical practice. It used in blood transfusion practice to determine the direction of recruitment of voluntary donors as required for each population within a country, and for disease association and population genetics studies. This study aimed at reporting the frequency of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) groups in the population of the Greater‐Accra region of Ghana and amongst their various ethnic groups. A retrospective study in 11 main hospitals within the region was done. Data collected provided information on the blood group status of persons (both blood donors and recipients) who visited the selected hospitals. Medical records used were within the years 2012–2017. A total of 42,317 (26,802 males and 15,515 females) data were retrieved and analysed. The frequencies of the blood groups O, A, B and AB were 50.0%, 24.3%, 20.7% and 5.0%, respectively. Rhesus‐positive to negative ratio was 93.2%/6.2%. Frequencies of blood group O was highest (49.1%–53.6%) in all ethnic groups. The second most dominant blood group was B (24.2%–25.4%) in the Ga‐Adamgbe, Akan and Ewe ethnic groups, whilst blood group A (25.0%–26.9%) was the second most dominant in the Northerners and non‐Ghanaians. Blood group distribution amongst gender and different age groups showed no significant differences but followed the same pattern for the general population. The study provides data on the ethnic distribution and frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood groupings in the Greater‐Accra region of Ghana. It also informs the need for blood banks in the region to increase the proportion of stockpiled Rhesus‐positive blood groups especially for O, B and A that may be high in demand.

Background: Blood is an essential body fluid for the transport of substances to all parts of the body. Knowledge of blood group distribution within any population is important in determining the direction of blood bank inventory for emergency blood services. Objective: We report for the first time the blood group distribution pattern for the Volta region of Ghana. Method: Data were extracted and analyzed from 14,360 medical records of blood donors and recipients at seven major hospitals within the Volta region for a period of seven years (2012 to 2018) Results: ABO distribution within the region was 46.3%, 18.9%, 24.4%, 3.1%, 4.4%, 1.7%, 1.3% and 0.1% for O+, A+, B+, AB+, O-, A-, B- and AB- blood groups respectively. Rh (D)+ to Rh (D)- ratio was 92.5/7.5% respectively. Blood group O+ (>35 %) was highest in all ethnic groups in the region. Conclusion: Healthcare facilities in the region should adopt a strategy to stock-pile sufficient O+ blood which is the prevalent blood group in the region. All types of blood groups were reported hence our findings should provide information to guide clinical practice and/or blood transfusion services in the region. Keywords: ABO and RhD blood groups; Volta region of Ghana; towards effective blood bank services.

Objective: Cirrhosis is common in Ghana because of its high risk factors prevalence. However, information on cirrhosis in Ghana is lacking. This study aimed to study the clinical, and laboratory characteristics of cirrhotic patients in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.Design: This was a retrospective study of sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and signs, biochemical and fibrotic indices, treatments, and complications data of 247 patients with cirrhosis who died on admission.Setting: This study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana,Results: Two-thirds (68.0%) of the patients were within 30 to 60 years, with more than half (73.7%) being males. The most common aetiological factors among the patients were Hepatitis B virus infection (53.8%), alcohol use (31.6%) and Hepatitis C virus infection (4.9%). More than half (55.0%) of the patients reported late for admission, and 67.2% died within the first two weeks of admission. The most common clinical feature was abdominal distension (61.1% of patients), and the least was upper-abdominal mass (14.2%). The levels of most liver test parameters were elevated, fibrotic indices were high, and haemoglobin and albumin levels were reduced. More than half (53.8%) of the patients were in Child Pugh class B. The most common complication was hepatic encephalopathy; the least was hepato-renal syndrome. Definite treatment for complications of cirrhosis was lacking.Conclusion: Deaths from cirrhosis at the hospital were mostly of young males with chronic hepatitis B infection. Implementation of hepatitis B prevention and treatment guidelines can help reduce cirrhosis deaths.