Validity and reliability of haemoglobin colour scale and its comparison with clinical signs in diagnosing anaemia in pregnancy in Ahmedabad, India

This study compared the validity of the haemoglobin colour scale [HCS] and clinical signs in diagnosing anaemia against Sahli's haemoglobinometer method as the gold standard, and assessed the reliability of HCS. The sample comprised 129 pregnant women recruited from 6 urban health centres in Ahmedabad. The prevalence of anaemia was 69.8% by Sahli's method, 78.3% by HCS and 89.9% by clinical signs; there was no statistically significant difference between Sahli's method and HCS whereas there was between Sahli's method and clinical signs. The mean haemoglobin level by Sahli's method and HCS differed significantly. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HCS was 83.3%, 33.3%, 74.3% and 46.4% respectively and that of clinical signs was 91.1%, 12.8%, 70.7% and 38.5% respectively. Interobserver agreement for HCS was moderate [K= 0.43]. Clinical signs are better than HCS for diagnosing anaemia. HCS can be used in the field provided assessors are adequately trained

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about menarche of adolescent girls in Anand district, Gujarat

A questionnaire survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards menstruation was made in 22 schools in Anand district, Gujarat state. Of 900 schoolgirls aged 11-17 years, only 38.5% felt comfortable about menarche and only 31.0% believed that menstruation was a normal physiological process. Many [37.2%] had not been informed about menarche before its onset and 48.2% felt they were not mentally prepared. The major sources of information were the mother [60.7%] or an elder sister [15.8%]; teachers and others relatives played a small role. In this area of India, many families continue the custom of celebrating the first menarche and observing social restrictions