Comparative Studies of the Effects of Smoking on Haemoglobin and Haematocrit Levels between Smokers and Non-Smokers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: The exact mechanisms of action of smoking in the pathophysiology of these diseases are not known but may be attributed to the abnormalities in blood rheology. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of smoking on carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), haemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) levels between smokers and non-smokers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight (39 smokers and 39 non-smokers) individuals participated in this study. A structured questionnaire was administered to each individual participant to elicit details such as their personal data, age, sex, residence, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking, number of sticks smoked per day, duration of smoking, as well as the history of any underlying disease. Blood samples were collected from the participants and analyzed using standard methods. Results: This study revealed that non-smokers had a significant (p<0.05) higher mean hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration than smokers, while smokers had significantly higher (p