DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i01.029

Pages: 157-163

To detect and characterize leukaemia in the peripheral blood of subjects suspected of leukaemic disorders at the haemato-oncology unit of Ahamdu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State. Suspected leukaemia patients attending haemto-oncology clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, during March 2015 to October 2018 were included in the study. Platelet count, wbc count, pcv and Hb estimation were determine through an automated haematology analyzer for detection of leukaemia hematological parameters. Also, the pattern of leukaemia DNA was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction assay. A total of 500 subjects were enrolled for the study and amplification with specific primers gave rise to 28 leukemic positive cases with DNA fragment patterns of (AML), (ALL), (CML) and (CLL) genomic DNA. However, the prevalence rate was 30 (6%) by cytomorphological examination of well Lieshman-stained slides. The males had higher prevalence rate of 20 (4%) however, the difference was statistically insignificant (p ≥ 0.288). The age group 32- 41 years had the highest number of leukaemia infection. The results showed that the educated patients had the highest percentage of leukaemia, 22(78.5%). The geographic areas at risk were patients residing in Kaduna north and Kaduna south senatorial districts with 14 (50%) and 9 (22%) respectively. Those who had tertiary education had the highest prevalence rate of 12(6%) (p ≤ 0.046). Also, the farmers had the highest prevalence rate of 8(11.4%) (p = 0.0186). Chronic myeloid leukaemia had the highest percentage of (3%). Leukemia was significantly associated with occupational status, educational status and senatorial districts. Government should mobilize human and financial resources towards leukemia prevention by increasing understanding of the economic impact of the disease, Leukemia patients are advised to go for early diagnosis and treatment in any approved haemato-oncology centre.