Alpha thalassaemia in tribal communities of coastal Maharashtra, India.

Background & Objectives: In a routine community health survey conducted in adult Adivasis of the costal Maharashtra, microcytosis and hyprochromia were observed in more than 80 per cent of both males and females having normal haemoglobin levels suggesting the possibility of α-thalassaemia in these communities. We conducted a study in Adivasi students in the same region to find out the magnitude of α-thalessaemia.

Methods: The participants (28 girls and 23 boys) were 14-17 yr old studying in a tribal school.