Prevalence of sickle cell anaemia among patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria, was studied between June and September, 2006. Two hundred and ten (210) blood samples were examined for the presence of sickle shaped cells using Hb – electrophoresis. In totality 17.14% were positive for the disease. Out of 74 males examined, 14 (18.92%) presented with the disease, and of the 136 females examined, 22 (16.18%) were positive for the disease. The peak prevalence of sickle cell was in age group 0 – 5 years that occupied (31.25%) of the studied population. However, there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the prevalence rate between males and females. The investigation established that sickle cell anaemia is prevalent in the study area. It is therefore recommended that clinicians be mindful of the disease when ever a patient is being diagnosed. Proper prevention, management and control measures should also be intensified.

Keywords: Sickle cell, anaemia, prevalence, electrophoresis, Kano.