Duke Bleeding Time in Young Adults at Aljufra University, Libya

Objectives: To determine the bleeding time (BT) among Medical Technology students of Aljufra University at Houn town. This in turn aimed to be used as a pilot work for a reference standard value of the BT overall the country when a large number of individuals checked in further studies. Also designed to be as a graduation project for pursuing a bachelor degree in Medical Technology.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Laboratories (Physiology and Graduate Units), Faculty of Medical Technology, Aljufra University, Houn, from February to July 2019.

Methodology: Apparently healthy 154 students (54 males, 100 females; age range of 18-25 years) were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire of diseases and conditions e.g spleen, liver, iron deficiency, bleeding disorders, infections, smoking, current medication, genetic disorders, vitamins deficiency, endocrine disorders, tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, malignancies, renal, & anticoagulants was submitted as a template for the BT. Duke’s method of skin pricking needles, cotton, alcohol, gloves, filter papers, and mobile watch for time monitor was followed due to its reliability and simplicity with quick results. The statistical package for social science, SPSS-23 was used in data analysis.

Results: The BT was estimated in all research respondents. The mean BT was found to be 1.14 ± 0.70 expressed in minutes and seconds. The minimum, maximum, and median values were 0.15, 4.15, & 1.08 minutes respectively. The effect of gender on mean BT was statistically significant (P<.05) with higher values in females than males. In contrast, there was negative correlation between age and mean BT (-0.1) indicating old students (>20 years) recorded higher values, but statistically insignificant (P>.05). Smoking did not show any significant impact on BT (P>.05).

Conclusion: The results confirm that both males & young people record lower values of BT comparing to females and elderly ones. Therefore, the bleeding time should be viewed as an essential test that evaluates blood coagulation profile.