Racial and Ethnic Distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups in Thi-Qar, Iraq

Most data in the literature include frequencies of these antigens in European and American countries. In this study for the first time we have reported frequencies of these antigens in the Thi-Qar of Iraq.The aim of the present study was to record the various blood groups among the population of Thi-Qar and to compare it with other populations.To determine the prevalence of different blood groups and Rh factors in a random population sample from urban and rural areas of Thi-qar of Iraq.Blood group and Rh factor determination was carried out by the antigen-antibody agglutination test. The frequency of each type was calculated.Out of 2841 subjects 4804 (59.1%) were male subjects and 1963 (40.9%) were female. The overall phenotypic frequencies of ABO blood in three groups in the total sample was O>A>B>AB.The frequencies of ABO and Rh phenotypes in Thi-Qar are similar to those reported from most areas in the Arabian region