Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC)
Tribal population constitutes 1.8 percent of total population of Bangladesh. The study was conducted in the
tribal population of Bangladesh to detect haemoglobinopathies and beta thalassemia trait. Another purpose
of the study was to create awareness about thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies among these indigenous
groups. It was a cross sectional study conducted from September 2015 to November 2015. A total of 460
random samples were collected from three tribal groups, 175 cases from Chakma, 187 cases from Garo and
98 cases from Marma. Two cc of venous blood were collected in EDTA tube. Haemoglobin variants were
studied by HPLC method using Variant Hemoglobin Testing System (Variant II Beta Thalassemia Short
Program). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical package (version 15). Data was analyzed
by frequency distribution. Abnormal Haemoglobin variants were seen in 287 cases (62.4%) out of 460 cases
and only173 cases (37.6%) showed normal haemoglobin pattern. Haemoglobin E trait was the most common
abnormality seen in 164 cases (35.6%) followed by Haemoglobin E disease which was seen in 101 cases
(22%), Beta thalassaemia trait was seen in 22 cases (4.8%). This study shows a high percentage of
Haemoglobin E trait and Haemoglobin E disease.