Nutritional Anaemia in ante-natals in the English-speaking Caribbean

Information on the prevalence and causes of anaemia in ante-natals in the English-speaking Caribbean was obtained from the study of information from ante-natal clinics and surveys conducted in the Caribbean from 1972-1982. There are an estimated 76,086.5, 65,796.0 and 6,422.5 ante-natals with haemoglobin levels below 11.0, 10.0 and 8.0 g/dl respectively, from an estimated population in the English-speaking Caribbean of 5,670,000. This anaemia is probably caused from a deficiency of iron, folate and vitamin B12. Parasitic infestations could be a causative factor in some of the anaemias. Sickle cell disease has also been noted

An evaluation of methods to screen for anaemia at the point of delivery in primary health care systems

Screening methods for anaemia were selected for testing on the grounds of cheapness, simplicity, sturdiness, independence on mains electricity or batteries and accuracy. The methods evaluated were the Copper Sulphate, Dare Haemoglobinometer, Lovibond Comparator, A.O. Spencer Haemoglobinometer and the Tallqvist Method. A new device, the Carib Haemoglobin Comparator, was developed. The Dare and Lovibond instruments were found to be inaccurate in the laboratory. The remainder were tested by primary health care workers in clinics in Jamaica. The Carib Haemoglobin Comparator and Copper Sulphate Method were found to fulfil the criteria

Food and nutrition surveillance: a methodology for use in small developing Caribbean territories, part 1 - a methodological approach to surveillance

Food and Nutrition Surveillance implies the continuous monitoring of factors relating to food supply, food demand and marketing, food consumption and the ensuing nutritional status of the population. By monitoring data at key points in the food chain, it should be possible to achieve an 'early warning system' of changes likely to affect the vulnerable (and marginal) groups within the community. This paper describes an attempt to produce a methodology for food and nutrition surveillance appropriate to small developing economies in the Commonwealth Caribbean. It introduces the concepts used to develop a pilot surveillance system in the East Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis

Food and nutrition surveillance: a methodology for use in small developing Caribbean territories part 2: establishment of pilot project in St. Kitts-Nevis

This paper gives an account of the actual establishment of the pilot scheme, showing how the process of collecting, analysing and evaluating surveillance data can quickly define trends affecting the "quality of life" (including nutritional status) of groups of people in St. Kitts-Nevis. The simplest method of monitoring this is by a series of graphs and control charts - regularly updated - which have warning and action limits clearly marked in each case. The need for an effective policy-making machinery to monitor these findings, and to deal with any food and nutrition crisis, is an underlying theme to this paper. The importance of sharing analysed data with local field workers has also been stressed