Efficacy of Sahli's method as a haemoglobin estimation tool in rural health setups in India

Anaemia is a common clinical disorder in rural India best diagnosed by automatic analyser, which detects haemoglobin concentration in the blood sample. However, in rural areas, this technology is not accessible. Instead, Sahli's method, being inexpensive and low in expertise, is employed here.

To compare the values of haemoglobin concentration estimated by Sahli's method and the automatic analyser.

A sample of 130 volunteers from both genders in all age groups was randomly selected from a rural health camp, organized in the city of Barabanki, U.P., India. A cross-sectional analytical study was planned.

Venous blood samples were obtained after taking due consent, and haemoglobin estimation was done using both Sahli's method and the automatic analyser, respectively.

Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) Software Version 21.0, Armonk NY, and expressed in terms of mean ± standard deviation (SD), and the result was compared using the Chi-square test, Pearson's regression coefficient and Student's T-test. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Regression analysis showed a weak inverse correlation of haemoglobin concentration obtained via automatic analyser and individual's age, in both genders (r values = -0.132 and -0.148, respectively). However, Sahli's method could not demonstrate any such significant pattern (r values = 0.002 and -0.087, respectively). The values of haemoglobin estimation by Sahli's method (10.57 ± 2.59 g/dl) varied significantly from the automatic analyser (10.90 ± 2.54 g/dl) (P value = 0.0015).

Sahli's method is not efficacious as a diagnostic tool even in a rural, low-budget setup. A weak inverse correlation is seen between blood haemoglobin concentration and age in both sexes.