Prevalence of Rhesus negative blood group in surgical patients in a tertiary hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: The Rhesus-D negative blood group is not as common in Africans when compared to Caucasians thus the need optimize surgical patients prior procedures. Blood “O” Rh-D a universal donor hence its importance emergency situations where there no time type and cross match blood.This because may transfusion pre-operatively, intra-operatively or post-operatively. Aim: To determine prevalence of rhesus Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Method: This was one-year retrospective study (Surgery Obstetrics/Gynaecology departments) RSUTH. comprised all consecutive cases surgeries these departments for period under review. Ethical clearance obtained from ethical committee Management Board. Structured profoma used extract information patients’ case notes analyzed using SPSS version 25. Result: A total 370 were attended pre-operatively. There 146 (39.5%) males 224 (60.5%) females. mean age 31 years. range 22 years 56 One hundred ninety four (52.4%) obstetrics gynaecological while 176 (47.6 %) non-gynaecological surgeries. commonest indication surgery caesarean representing 126 (34.1%) subject.The distribution positive 337 (91.7%) 33 (8.9%) respectively. with O 15 (4.1%). Conclusion: Our showed at 8.9%. Rhesus–D most 4.1% Rhesus D-negative group. makes it important practice be typing matching transfusion.