A Cross Sectional Study on Sickle Cell Disease among Backward Communities of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India

To assess the prevalence of sickle cell disease among various backward communities of Gadchiroli district.

The study is based on Solubility test, a laboratory investigation method used for the diagnosis of sickle cell disease. The tests were conducted in a stall opened at Agrotech-2011 on Dec 27–29, a state level agrotech festival.

The total sample used for the study was 560, out of which 75.89% are male and 24.10% are female. Category wise populations in the study are OBC-40.53%, SC-25.35%, ST-20%, Open-2.67%, SBC-2.14%, and NT-8.75%. Among 560 samples tested using solubility test 69 (12.32%) samples are found positive out of which 28.98% are female and 71.01% are male. The caste wise distribution of solubility test confirmed samples are SC-36.23%, ST-26.08%, OBC-24.63%, NT13.04%, SBC-0, Open-0.

The study concludes that the prevalence of sickle cell disease among backward classes in Gadchiroli district is more in comparision to general or open category. The district is rich in tribal and other related backward communities, so prevention, control and management of sickle cell disease should be a priority of the health department. Endogamy and consanguineous marriage is one of the important factors for the perpetuation of the disease among tribal communities. Proper IEC activities need to be implemented to address this issue.