The Copper Sulphate Method for Screening for Anaemia: A Manual for its Use

Abstract

[Preface]. The Copper Sulphate Method to determine hemoglobin levels has been found very satisfactory in primary health care if the users are well trained. This manual has been prepared by Mr. Anthony Hinnant, Peace Corps Volunteer, Jamaica. Mr. Hinnant has been responsible for preparing stock solutions and also for training health care workers in the use of the Method. The detection of anaemia is important in routine antenatal care and many other situations. The exact haemoglobin level does not need to be known in most cases; what is important is to grade patients into levels of anaemia that relate to alternative treatments. Health workers need to know immediately whether patients are anaemic and, if so, whether it is serious or moderate. All too often the central laboratory is so overloaded with routine requests that results do not reach back to the health worker and patient until weeks later. The Copper Sulphate Method enables each patient to have her blood screened so that she can be categorized into a level of haemoglobin corresponding to her treatment needs. It also enables results to be obtained within a matter of minutes. We hope that this manual will be helpful to laboratories preparing stock solutions and also to clinic workers using the test.