Two Decades of Blood Group Data in Palestine: Insights from a Comprehensive Retrospective Study

Abstract

Ibrahim Salhi

Background and Objectives: Understanding the distribution of blood groups is crucial for the effective planning of healthcare, particularly in the fields of genetic research, public health policy, and transfusion medicine. The objective of this study is to employ a comprehensive dataset that spans 24 years to analyse the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Palestine. The objective is to offer insights into regional, age, and gender variations.

Materials and Methods: Data from 77,136 individuals were collected from the Medicare Lab information system between September 2000 and August 2024. The study used descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to investigate variations in blood group distributions by gender, age, and city.

Results: A Positive (37.2%) and O Positive (31.1%) were the most prevalent blood groups. Significant regional differences in blood group frequencies were observed across various cities. However, gender-based differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The results demonstrate substantial variations in the distribution of blood groups, emphasising the necessity for specific strategies in blood bank administration and healthcare planning in Palestine. This research provides significant data for the development of public health strategies and genetic studies.

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