[Screening program for hemoglobinopathies based on blood donors from Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil]

Screening programs for hemoglobinopathies target different population groups such as neonates, students, pregnant women, military personnel, recruits, and blood donors. The feasibility and efficiency of these programs basically depend on the population's receptivity, which in turn is related to highly complex economic, psychological, and sociocultural factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the population of Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, based on results from the blood donors' group and to compare these results with those previously obtained in a group of students from the same city. The sample consisted of 1,846 donors who had given blood at the São Francisco University Hematology Center, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, from October 1998 to April 1999. Analysis of the 1,846 donors identified 31 individuals who were hemoglobinopathy carriers (1.68%). The result was quite similar to that obtained in the group of students and demonstrated that the two methods are similar in relation to detection of hemoglobinopathies; however, the blood donor approach is more practical.