An evaluation of methods of screening for anaemia.

Screening methods for anaemia were selected for testing on the grounds of cheapness, simplicity, sturdiness, accuracy and independence of mains electricity or batteries. The methods evaluated were the copper sulfate method, the Dare haemoglobinometer, the Lovibond comparator, the 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 other instruments were tested by primary health care workers in clinics in Jamaica. The Carib haemoglobin comparator and the copper sulfate method were found to be accurate, easy to use, and cheap. Both methods are considered to be useful for screening for anaemia at primary health care level.

Anthropometric assessment of nutritional status in pregnant women: a reference table of weight-for-height by week of pregnancy.

A reference table of weight-for-height by week of pregnancy has been devised on theoretical grounds, based on the premises that the average increment of weight during pregnancy is 20% of the prepregnant weight and that almost all the increment takes place linearly during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The table was tested with retrospective clinic and hospital data. The results show a good correlation between the weight-for-height at different stages of pregnancy as a percentage of the reference table and the birth weight of the offsprings. This reference table can be a useful tool to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women and, within limits, to "predict" the chances of delivering a low birth weight infant.

A survey of the anemia status of preschool age children and pregnant and lactating women in Jamaica.

An island-wide anemia survey was conducted in Jamaica on pregnant and lactating women and preschool age children. The results indicate that anemia is a serious public health problem in Jamaica. Of pregnant women, 61.6% had Hb levels below 11.0 g/dl. Of lactating women 58.7% had Hb levels below 12.0 g/dl. Of preschool age children 69.1% had Hb levels below 11.0 g/dl. Public health and fortification programs for the control of anemia have been implemented by the government and are currently being reviewed.

Nutrient-cost nomogram: an appropriate technology.

The nutrient-cost concept is important in food and nutrition planning and applied nutrition programs. There is a need to develop a simple and quick method of calculating nutrient-cost values. A nomogram, which provides a new technology, has been devised to do this. The use of the nomogram and its theoretical basis are described.

Lactancia al pecho materno en Trinidad / Breast-feeding practices in Trinidad

Un estudio de las prácticas de lactancias al pecho materno en Trinidad indica que a pesar de sus evidentes ventajas, se abandonan al poco tiempo. A los cuatro meses del parto aproximadamente casi todos los lactantes dentro del grupo que se estudió habían dejado de recibir leche materna. Se comprobó la existencia de una asociación significativa entre el comienzo temprano de la lactancia con biberón (antes de la primera sesión de pecho materno) y la terminación temprana de la lactancia al pecho (AU)

The Gomez classification. Time for a change?

The Gomez classification of nutritional status is well known and widely used. However, it has a considerable number of drawbacks and it is questionable whether it should continue to be used. The history of the classification, its value, and its disadvantages are examined and an alternative classification based on more recent reference values of weight-for-age is proposed.

[Evaluation of a breast-feeding campaign in Trinidad]. / Evaluación de una campaña de lactancia materna en Trinidad.

PIP: The article evaluates a campaign to promote breast-feeding organized in Trinidad in 1974 by a private association of housewives. Advantages of breast-feeding were advertised in newspapers, television, and especially through the radio. A total of 418 women were interviewed for the first time after delivery at the hospital, and 4 months after that in their homes. The campaign reached 93% of the target population. There was a relationship between exposure to the campaign and knowledge of nutritional value of maternal milk, advantages of breast-feeding, and a relationship between knowledge of media messages and avoidance of the bottle before the infants were 2 months old.^ieng

Evaluation of a breast-feeding campaign in Trinidad.

There has been a marked decline in breast-feeding throughout the developing world. It is generally agreed that this trend should be reversed, and that in achieving this objective mass communication media could play an important role. The present article analyzes the results of a campaign to promote breast-feeding in which the press, television, and radio were used. It is hoped that this analysis will prove useful for other individulas and groups that may wish to plan similar campaigns.

PIP: A 6-week campaign launched by the Housewives Association of Trinidad and Tobago in 1974 utilized the press, TV, and radio in promoting breastfeeding. To determine the campaign's impact on the target population, the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (together with the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health) interviewed women who delivered babies at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and San Fernanado General Hospital in Trinidad during the weeks following the end of the campaign during their hospital stay and 4 months later at their homes. Analysis showed the significant effect of frequent mass media exposure on knowledge of breastfeeding. Of the media used, radio broadcasting had the most significant effect on the target population (significant at the 10% level). A positive correlation was observed between avoidance of bottle feeding before 2 months of age and maternal familiarity with the campaign's media message.