World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

STATUS OF SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AMONG CHRONIC CONSUMERS OF CALABASH CHALK IN AMASSOMA BAYELSA STATE NIGERIA

Kingsley Chukwuka Amaihunwa* Collins Ohwonigho Adjekuko and Mokogwu Azukaego Thomas Hughs

ABSTRACT

Calabash chalk is a geophagic material used for medicinal, spiritual and cultural practices. This study was aimed on status of some haematological parameters among chronic consumers of calabash chalk in Amassoma Bayelsa State Nigeria. Five milliliters of blood specimen were withdrawn from 20 calabash consumers for < 2 years (experimental groups one), between 2-5 years (experimental groups two), 6-10 years (experimental groups three) and non- consumers of calabash chalk (control group) respectively. These specimens were subsequently dispensed into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid containers respectively and used for the measurement of packed cells volume (microhaematocrit method), haemoglobin (cyanmethaemoglobin method), total white blood cells count (improved neubauer chamber method), platelet (haemocytometer manual method), and erythrocytes sedimentation rate (westergren method). The data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the statistical analysis, while the differences between the groups which were considered significant at a p-value lesser than 0.05 were assessed using student “t” test. The results revealed significant mean value decrease of packed cells volume (p = 0.02), haemoglobin (p = 0.02), total white blood cells count (p = 0.03), platelet count (p = 0.03) and mean value elevation of erythrocytes sedimentation rate (p = 0.02) in the calabash consumers for 6-10 years (experimental group three) when compared with that of the control group. However, these haematological parameters were not altered significantly (p > 0.05) among the < 2 years (experimental group one) and 2-5 years (experimental group two) calabash consumers as compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study has revealed that consumers of calabash chalk for a period of 6-10 years are at risk of anaemia, infection, blood clotting disorder and inflammation. It is therefore recommended that consumers of this chalk particularly for 6-10 years should endeavor to check their haematological parameters occasionally in a reputable and licensed medical laboratory facility

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