A Pilot to Asses Hemoglobin Concentration Obtained From Capillary and Venous Blood Measured Using the HemoCue 201+ Hemoglobin Analyzer in a Controlled and Field Setting

This study is designed to inform The DHS Program on whether there are variations in hemoglobin concentration using the DHS standard technique of a single drop of capillary blood and alternative blood sources (pooled capillary and venous blood) using the HemoCue 201+ analyzer compared to venous blood using a clinical hematology autoanalyzer.

Research Objectives:

1. To determine if there are differences in the hemoglobin concentration between a single drop of capillary blood (blood drop #3) and a pooled drop of capillary blood measured on the HemoCue 201+ analyzer in apparently healthy non-pregnant women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months in a controlled setting (i.e., blood specimens are collected in a laboratory setting).
2. To determine if there are differences in the hemoglobin concentration between a single drop of capillary blood (blood drop #3) measured on the HemoCue 201+ analyzer against venous blood measured on HemoCue 201+ analyzer and a clinical autoanalyzer in apparently healthy non-pregnant women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months in a controlled and field setting.
3. To determine if there are differences in the hemoglobin concentration between a pooled drop of capillary blood measured on the HemoCue 201+ analyzer against venous blood measured on HemoCue 201+ analyzer and a clinical autoanalyzer in apparently healthy non-pregnant women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months in a controlled and field setting.
4. To compare results of hemoglobin distribution and estimates of anemia prevalence using two types of capillary blood (single drop and pooled) and venous blood measured on the HemoCue 201+ analyzer and a clinical autoanalyzer using venous blood in a controlled and field setting.