title: Use of the WHO hemoglobin color scale in family welfare clinics in India.
abstract: A situation is reported for the use of the WHO color scale for the measurement of hemoglobin, which was introduced into India in 1996. Charity family welfare clinics held at a medical college hospital in North India offer free sterilization by tubal ligation under local anesthetic to women following a preliminary screening. An obligatory test of the hemoglobin level is required and must be above 7.0 g/dl for the operation. Some clinics attract large numbers, and the card gives a cheap, rapid and reasonably accurate test, adding to the smooth running and reduction of waiting time. It has proved satisfactory over a 2-year period; 2.3% of participants were shown to have a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dl or less.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, CMC Ludhiana, Punjab India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Britt
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003116:Color / Q000592:standards*; D000075202:Contraindications; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012946:Social Welfare; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D014944:World Health Organization