Haematological Indices as a Measure of Quality of Life Amongst Inmates of Port Harcourt Correctional Institutions

Restriction to health care and poor medical attention to inmates in correctional institutions in Port Harcourt has provided a gap in knowledge about their general health as well as their haematological indices status. Haematological indices are derivatives of complete blood count (CBC) used in the evaluation of overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, measure several components and features in the blood. This cross sectional study was aimed at determining haematological indices as a measure of quality of life amongst inmates of Port Harcourt Correctional Institution. One hundred and fifty (150) adults and twenty-eight (28) juveniles making a total of one hundred and seventy eight (178) adults and juveniles of both sexes participated in this study. Two milliliters (2mls) of blood was collected from each participant and dispensed into an EDTA anticoagulant bottle and used for the haematological investigations. Results obtained shows Mean±SEM of Hb (12.87±0.10 g/dl; 95% CI, 12.69-13.06), WBC (6.63±0.16x109/L; 95% CI, 6.32 - 6.93), Neutrophils (43.99±0.77%; 95% CI of 42.47-4.51%) while the Mean±SEM of Lymphocytes was 44.75±0.79% at 95% CI of 43.19-46.31 and CMX was 10.55±0.30%, at 95% Cl of 9.95-11.15). Haematological parameters of the inmates showed a significant Hb level among the males and between age 25–34 years at a significant level of P < 0.0001 respectively. The percentage of the lymphocyte, the CMX within these age group was also very significant at P < 0.0001 respectively. The reduced blood level, with the raise lymphocyte and CMX is a clear indication of poor health status and the presence of underlying infection although the findings cannot be adequately substantiated.