Biomarker Field Manual (English, French)

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BIOMARKER MANUAL: 


Training Program for Measuring 
and Testing for Biomarkers 


[DOCUMENT SUBTITLE | 


The DHS Program is a five-year project to assist institutions in collecting and analyzing 
necessary data to plan, monitor, and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. 
The DHS Program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). 
The project is implemented by ICF in Rockville, Maryland USA, in partnership with the 
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs, 
PATH (formerly, the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), Avenir Health, 
Vysnova Partners, Blue Raster, and EnCompass. 


The main objectives of The DHS Program are to: 1) provide improved information through 
appropriate data collection, analysis, and evaluation; 2) improve coordination and 
partnerships in data collection at the international and country levels; 3) increase host- 
country institutionalization of data collection capacity; 4) improve data collection and 
analysis tools and methodologies; and 5) improve the dissemination and utilization of 
data. 


Information about The DHS Program may be obtained from ICF, 530 Gaither Road, Suite 
500, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Telephone: +1-301-407-6500; Fax: +1-301-407-6501; E- 
mail: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.dhsprogram.com. 


Contents 


Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW. ........c:cccseeceeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeseeneeneeeeneenes 1 
LAs, - ADOUE ENS PROMOS Re ne ea ae da NT 1 
1:B: -ADOUE THIS training program ts rte enr nee tante 1 
LÉ: Training pro draNn SALÉES 222 du iets oan ti at neo 1 
1.D. Overview of biomarker measurement... 2 
1.E. Overview of the biomarkers in the DHS & the biomarker technician’s role...3 
LUF: “SOCAN MASCOT ONC Y sc cise sn ot 4 

Chapter 2. general procedures for completing the paper BIOMARKER questionnaire 

6 
Ze, WAT OCMC EOIN eas acstiecs searches nienteustcneotwnd a unnet eatueenstdanediensiurteabau encase baseteneagudocdenest 6 
2.B. Identifying respondents eligible for Biomarker Questionnaire....................... 6 
2.C. Documenting [fieldworker] visits on the cover page... 9 
2.D. Asking Questions and Reading Informed Consent Statements...................… 10 
ZEs. RECOKGING RESDONSSS ccc: dec scietae esas neu tie sadabvad deel battled attendee dekaduteusiaesiewaoed dame 11 
2.F. Marking Filters and Following Skip Patterns... 13 
26: «Corrécting MISEa Res... ennemi 13 
2H. Key Points: CO FEMÉMOÉT... 2er secs sxncecandeuss xetveciens dnieededecteeecereeeciacsa 14 

Chapter 3) ANENrOPONTIE ETES RMS eines 16 
PR INNO OMR tc cae nee seas eacteiga ce baraeetaerenmepaeiene 16 
3.B. Materials and equipment for anthropometry.............................................. 17 
3.C. Procedures and precautions before measuring height and weight.............. 18 
D: Deétérmining eléibiIne Essen disant 20 
2E: Preparing 10: Take WÉIQMEÉ:.:S....:2 rss esnere sn desien nee n sense annees 21 
3.F. Weighing Adults and Children Who Can Stand on the Scale by Themselves 

23 
3.G. Weighing Infants or Children Who Must be Held by an Adult While on the 
Scale 25 
Dabs “ROUDISS OC este scis rcweascosnetenese ck aetenetensexe lane see couanchaniereidewwaptcea tienda: 27 
3.1. Preparing to measure height/length....................................................... 28 
Su. Médsürnina à CIS MOlQME... se 29 
3.K. Measuring à Child’s length: lenennintennne 34 
Sale Méssünna-an aduitS AE Essen dd ie ns 37 


3.M. Dismantling the measuring board... 39 
3.N. Quality assurance for anthropometry......................................... eaeenees 40 
3.0. Standardization of height and length measurements... 43 
Chapter 4. CAPILLARY BLOOD COLLECTION............ccccccceccsseceeeeseeeeeeseeeeeeeaeeaeeeeaeeneas 45 
AAs INtrOdUCEIDN sas de Te A dads vetoes vate leek eevee beset iat 45 
4.B. Materials and supplies for performing finger or heel pricks......................….. 45 
As TOW EO: BUT ON -GIOMOES 4c EE one Seconda nn AS Et el tr dus 48 
4.D. Steps in obtaining capillary blood from the finger....................................... 48 
4.E. Obtaining capillary blood from a child’s heel............................................. 55 
4.F. Precautions to observe when collecting blood samples............................….. 57 
4.G. Good blood collection practices... 58 
Chapter 5. HEMOGLOBIN MEASUREMENT (ANEMIA SCREENING)................ 60 
BRS. WVER OCU CEO 52 ste RER ads ets eee ial a eee wa SS yeas rae ak ne a tte 60 
5:B. OVERVIEW: OF CIN see es nn aed ae RAR 60 
5.C. Materials and supplies for Hb measurement. 61 
5.D. Handling and storage of the HemoCue Hb 201+ analyzer.......................…. 62 
5.E. Determine eligibility and obtain informed consent for Hb measurement....63 
5.F. Steps in performing the Hb measurement... 65 
5.G. Precautions to take during Hb measurement... 69 
5.H. Cleaning the HemoCue Hb analyzer.................................. ss 70 
5.1. HemoCue analyzer error codes... 72 
Chapter 6. Biohazardous Waste Disposal.............................................................. 74 
GA TMVEROGUCEON pag eoccrraees cs Ce ne Mee ete th sation: 74 
6.B. Collecting and storing waste during trainings and fieldwork....................... 74 
6.C. Procedures for disposal of biohazardous waste... 76 
6.D. Methods of destroying/decontaminating biohazardous waste... 11 
Chapter i AP DONO ses scene qe Mer Rare teen Re te MR 78 
7A: Informational pamphlet: sn nee ec Westen tees deans ieee 78 
7.B. Severe acute malnutrition referral...................................... ss 79 
7.C:. Fieldwork: Malntenance 100: multi tenter entente 80 
7B: ‘SEAMGSrOIZAtlOM: TORM 2s, AU A QUE ER RS nt Mn nn ia alg ace 81 
7.E. Severe anemia referral................................. sisi 82 


Chapter 1.INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 


1.A. About this manual 


This manual is used as part of the Training Program for Measuring and Testing for 
Biomarkers, and provides the core content needed to acquire the following skills 
during the training: 


How to identify eligible respondents in households for biomarker measurement 


How to obtain informed consent from adults, minors and parents/responsible adults 
for children 


How to complete the Biomarker Questionnaire 
How to perform capillary blood collection on adults and children 


How to select the appropriate equipment; collect samples; conduct tests and 
record, report, and document results for the following, as needed: 


Hemoglobin testing for anemia 

Height and weight measurements for anthropometry 
Demonstrate appropriate universal safety precautions 
Demonstrate appropriate disposal of biohazardous waste 


1.B. About this training program 


Biomarker measurements can serve as diagnostic tools to identify diseases or 
conditions in their early stages and can be used as surveillance tools to track 
changes in disease patterns or to evaluate intervention programs. In population- 
based surveys, biomarkers help assess the prevalence or occurrence of diseases or 
conditions in a population; they can also be used at a macro level to measure the 
long-term effect of policies and programs. In The Demographic and Health Surveys 
(DHS) Program, biomarkers are measured to estimate the prevalence of specific 
diseases and health conditions at the population level. 


This training program is designed to equip biomarker technicians with skills and 
techniques to efficiently and effectively measure and test biomarkers in field 
conditions, and accurately record and report the results as part of the survey 
process. In addition, this training program will equip biomarker technicians to 
collect, process, and package biological specimens for transport to a laboratory for 
testing. 


1.C. Training program structure 


In combination with classroom instruction and practical experience, this manual will 
be used to teach you how to collect blood samples and conduct basic tests to 


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measure biomarkers for the [YEAR] [COUNTRY] Demographic and Health Survey 
(DHS). Before each training session, you should study this manual and the 
Biomarker Questionnaire carefully. You are encouraged to ask questions during 
training and to discuss problems encountered to avoid making mistakes during 
fieldwork. Training consists of the following phases: 


Phase |. The chapters of this manual are reviewed in a classroom setting where you 
learn how to identify eligible respondents; record biomarker measurements 
or test results in the Biomarker Questionnaire or on appropriate field forms; 
and handle technical procedures involved in blood collection, testing, and 
other related instructions. You will observe the trainers demonstrating the 
skills. Then, you will have the opportunity to practice the procedures, with 
other trainees, which will include finger pricks for blood collection. 


Phase II. You will either 1) visit a health facility and practice measuring biomarkers 
from respondents after consent was granted or 2) practice the blood 
collection procedures on participants (i.e., mother-child pairs) at the training 
venue. 


Phase Ill. You will be assigned to a survey trainee team in the field where you will 
measure biomarkers from eligible respondents exactly as you would during 
the survey. Households that are visited will be in clusters that are not part of 
the survey sample. 


At the end of the training, your overall performance will be assessed, and the top 
performers will be selected to work in the survey. 


Your training does not end at the start of fieldwork. Rather, it is a continuous 
process. Your team supervisor and the [COUNTRY] DHS coordinators will play 
important roles in continuing your training and in ensuring the quality of data you 
collect throughout the survey. They will: 


e Observe your fieldwork activities periodically to ensure that you are 
conducting yourself professionally, obtaining informed consent from 
respondents, and following the sample collection and biomarker 
measurement protocol correctly 


Spot check that you visited the correct households and collected blood samples and 
measured biomarkers only from eligible respondents; and 


Meet with you regularly to discuss your performance and assign future work 
assignments 


Note: A biomarker technician who is not performing at the level necessary to 
produce the high-quality data required for a successful [COUNTRY] DHS may be 
released from service. 


1.D. Overview of biomarker measurement 


A biomarker may be thought of as a characteristic that can be independently 
measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic 
processes, or pharmacologic response to a therapeutic intervention’. Biomarker 
measurements can serve as diagnostic tools to identify diseases in their early 
stages and can be used as Surveillance tools to track changes in disease patterns or 
to evaluate intervention programs. In population-based surveys, biomarkers help 
assess the prevalence or occurrence of diseases or conditions and can also be used 
at a macro level to measure the long-term effect of policies and programs. 


Biomarker measurements can serve to: 
m Assess the prevalence of a health condition among adults and children at 
the population level 
m Develop and evaluate health-intervention programs to prevent or reduce a 
health condition/disease (e.g., iron-deficiency anemia) among adults and 
children 
m Develop diagnostic tools to identify diseases in their early stages 
@ Track changes in disease patterns within the population 
Purpose of each biomarker measured in the DHS 


Biomarker Purpose 


Height and weight Monitor growth in women and children; calculate 
the body mass index (BMI) of adults and BMI-for-age 
of adolescents 


Hemoglobin (anemia) Measure iron status (Acts as a crude marker) 


The [YEAR] XDHS is the [NUMBER] DHS survey conducted in [COUNTRY] following 
[INSERT PREVIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS AND YEAR]. The [YEAR] 
XDHS will include anemia and anthropometry. Results from this survey will produce 
country specific nutritional indicators, and population-based estimates of anemia in 
women age 15-49, men age 15-[59], and children age 6-59 months. 


1.E. Overview of the biomarkers in the DHS & the biomarker 
technician’s role 


Anthropometry measurements 


In XDHS, the biomarker technician will measure the height and weight of eligible 
women, men, and children. The biomarker technician will measure women age 15- 


1 Biomarker Definitions Working Group, National Institutes of Health, 2001 


49 and men age 15-[59]. The biomarker technician will measure children 0 - 59 
months. Children younger than 24 months will be measured lying down on the 
measuring board, while biomarker technicians will measure standing height for 
older children. They will obtain weight measurements using lightweight, digital 
scales. 


For children, data are used to calculate three indices that reflect nutritional status: 
height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age. In presenting the 
anthropometric results, the height and weight of children in the survey population 
are compared with the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards that are based on an 
international sample of ethnically, culturally, and genetically diverse, healthy 
children living under optimum conditions conducive to achieving a child’s full 
genetic growth potential. 


Children who are severely malnourished will be referred to a local health facility for 
assessment and treatment. The biomarker technician will provide all households an 
informational pamphlet containing the height and weight of all eligible children and 
adults. 


Hemoglobin (anemia) 


In the XDHS, the biomarker technician will measure hemoglobin (anemia screening) 
in eligible women (age 15-49 years), [men (age 15-[59] years] and children (age 6- 
59 months). Anemia is a reduction in the normal number of red blood cells or a 
decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood, which results in a 
decrease in oxygen reaching organs and tissues. Symptoms of anemia include 
pallor, fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, and heart problems. 


The biomarker technician will use the HemoCue® 201+ photometer to measure the 
Hb concentration from a drop of blood obtained from a finger or heel prick. The 
measurement is rapid, allowing results to be reported to the respondent 
immediately following the testing procedure. 


Individuals who have an Hb level below a defined cut-off will be classified as anemic 
and, in cases of severe anemia, referred to a local health facility for assessment and 
treatment. The biomarker technician will provide all households an informational 
pamphlet containing the Hb measurements of all eligible children and adults. 


1.F. Social media policy 


The use of social media and other digital media is now common and continues to 
grow in popularity. Platforms and applications including blogs, social networking 
sites (such as Twitter or Facebook), video streaming sites (such as YouTube), and 
digital messaging applications (WhatsApp), have made it easy for anyone to reach a 
wide audience very quickly. Public and private companies and their staff also use 
these platforms and sites to share work experiences, images, or videos taken in the 

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workplace, or to seek professional advice from colleagues or friends. However, in 
the XDHS, the use of social media may break the promise we make to our 
respondents to maintain their privacy and keep all information confidential. The 
XDHS has also made a promise to the ICF Institutional Review Board and the 
[COUNTRY] Institutional Review Board to maintain anonymity of all survey 
respondents. 


To fulfil our promise to all survey respondents to maintain strict confidentiality, all 
fieldworkers are obligated to follow these rules: 


| Social media rules for maintaining confidentiality of survey respondents | 


1. | Survey staff have an ethical obligation to always maintain respondent privacy 
and confidentiality. 


2. Limiting access to social media postings by using privacy settings is not 
enough to ensure privacy or maintain the confidentiality of respondents. 


3. Do not transmit any respondent-related image or video that includes the 
respondent, respondent household members, or their homes, through any 
social media platform. 


4. Do not identify respondents, enumeration areas, or clusters by name through 
any social media platform. Do not post any information that may lead to the 
identification of a respondent or an enumeration area. 


5. Do not take any photos or videos of respondents or their homes - not even if 
the respondent gives permission - on personal mobile devices - including 
mobile phones, tablets, and cameras. 


6. Turn off or disable geolocation or geotagging permissions in social media 
applications on personal mobile devices while conducting fieldwork. 


7. Consult with a supervisor before making any work-related postings. 


8. Promptly report any violations of privacy or confidentiality. 


What is geolocation and geotagging? 


Geolocation or geotagging refers to identifying an object (for example a photo) by 
its location. Many social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, now 
include geolocation or geotagging, so users can add location information to their 
messages. The location information can be a broad location such as a city or village, 
or a precise location with the exact latitude and longitude of the location from which 


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a message was sent. A fieldworker who posts a geolocated or geotagged social 
media message from the field violates confidentiality by disclosing the location of 
the cluster. 


Geolocation or geotagging in social media applications may also have security 
implications. In security-risk countries, where fieldwork must undergo stringent 
protocols to protect field teams, it is imperative that survey-related staff disable 
geolocation from their personal devices to not give away secure locations. 


Common Misunderstandings of Social Media 


Misuse of social media is often unintentional and the result of misunderstandings of 
how social media platforms function. Many factors may contribute to survey-related 
staff inadvertently violating survey respondent privacy and confidentiality while 
using social media. 


Test your knowledge: 
TRUE or FALSE? 


Q 1. A communication or post is private and can only be seen by the intended 
recipient. True or False? 


FALSE. Why? Once you send or post something, it can be sent by someone else to 
others, without you knowing. 


Q 2. You can always delete posted content and make it “go away”. True or False? 


FALSE. Why? What happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet. 


Chapter 2.GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETING THE 
PAPER BIOMARKER QUESTIONNAIRE 


Learning objective 


e Confirm the eligibility of respondents for biomarker collection 

e Understand the elements of informed consent 

e Know the structure and content of the Biomarker Questionnaire 

e This part of the training manual is designed to familiarize you with the 
[COUNTRY] DHS paper questionnaire that you will use for field data collection 


2.A. Introduction 


This chapter describes the [subsample of households selected for biomarker 
collection,] requirements for eligibility and informed consent. To collect the 
information needed by the [COUNTRY] DHS, you must understand how to ask each 
question, what information the question is attempting to collect, and how to handle 
problems that might arise during the interview. You must also know how to 
correctly record the answers the respondent gives and how to follow special 
instructions in the questionnaire. 


2.B. Identifying respondents eligible for Biomarker Questionnaire 


Eligible respondents 


[Not all households are eligible for biomarker measurement and testing.] There are 
[NUMBER] households per cluster, [half of which were selected for biomarker 
collection.] This means you as a biomarker technician will visit [NUMBER] 
households per cluster for biomarker collection. ] 


The hierarchy below summarizes which households are eligible for biomarker 
collection. 


All Households (HHs) 
n = [number] HHs 
sx ÿ 50% Q 


HHs Selected for Male Interview HHs Not Selected for Male Interview 
n = [number] HHs n = [number] HHs 


Anthropometry: Women 15-49 yrs 
Anthropometry: Children 0-4 yrs 
Malaria: Children 6-59 months 

Anemia: Children 6-59 months 

HIV RDT: Women 15-49 & Men 15-54 yrs 
HIV DBS: Women 15-49 & Men 15-54 yrs 


Adjust the image and all related content to reflect the survey. Once 
completed, copy and past into the Introduction and Overview Chapter. 


Not everyone in a household is eligible for biomarker measurement. Within 
selected households, those eligible for biomarker measurement and testing are: 
women age 15-49 years, men age 15-[59] years and children 0 - 59 months who 
are usual household residents or visitors who have stayed in the house the night 
before the household interview took place. 


ble for biomarker Hb measurement (anemia 
measuremerWeight Height/ length testing) 


children age 0-5 months X X 


children age 6-59 months 


15-49 years 
en age 15-[59] years 


X X 
X X 
X X 


Obtaining Eligibility from Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) 


The Household Questionnaire, Woman’s Questionnaire, and Man’s Questionnaire 
use computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) for face-to-face interviews. 
However, the Biomarker Questionnaire is still completed on paper. This means that 
the interviewer will need to transfer the list of eligible children and adults from the 
report generated by the CAPI system using information collected in the Household 
Questionnaire to the Biomarker Questionnaire. Only then will the biomarker 
technician be able to start the process of identifying eligible respondents, obtaining 
informed consent, collecting a blood sample and testing for biomarkers. 


On the cover page of the Biomarker Questionnaire, the interviewer will record all 
the information required to identify the household. When you receive a Biomarker 
Questionnaire, the interviewer should have already recorded the following into the 

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identification box: 


e Place Name 

e Name of Household Head 

e Cluster Number 

e Household Number 

e [COUNTRY-SPECIFIC QUESTION ON BIOMARKER SUBSAMPLING] 


You will notice that for both the Cluster Number and Household Number four boxes 
are provided. When a number has fewer digits than the number of boxes provided, 
the leading zeros should be filled in. For example, if the cluster number is 1 and 
household number 3, this information should be recorded on the cover page (by the 
interviewer) as cluster number 0001 and household number 0003. The interviewer 
will indicate if the household is selected for [country-specific questions on 
biomarker subsampling] by writing ‘1’ in the box provided. 


IDENTIFICATION (1) 


PLACE NAME Terrytown 


NAME OF HOUSEHOLD HEAD Patrick Henry 


CLUSTER NUMBER 
HOUSEHOLD NUMBER 


[COUNTRY-SPECIFIC QUESTION ON BIOMARKER SUBSAMPLING] 


Using the CAPI function to list those eligible for individual interviews and 
biomarkers, the interviewer will record the number of respondents in the household 
potentially eligible for biomarker collection. An example of a list is shown below: 


CLUSTER: 0001 HOUSEHOLD: 00063 
Name of household head: GENEVIEVE DUPUIS 


Women Eligible for Individual Interview 


Line Sex Age Name 


01 2 31  GENEVIEVE DUPUIS 
@3 2 28 SHONDA GAYLORD 


Children Eligible for Biomarker Collection 


Line Sex Age Name 


@2 2 02 JULIA FLEURET 
@4 1 O04 = MATT TURBYFILL 


Check the cover page of the Biomarker Questionnaire to identify the number of 
women, men and children who are potentially eligible for biomarker collection. This 
information can be found under “Fieldworkers Visit.” 

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FIELDWORKER VISITS 


FINAL VISIT 


DATE 


FIELDWORKER'S 


NAI 
NEXT VISIT: DATE TOTAL NUMBER 
OF VISITS 
TIME 


TOTAL ELIGIBLE 


Where to find 
the number of 


eligible 
respondents 


TOTAL ELIGIBLE 
MEN 


TOTAL ELIGIBLE 


Lo 
Lo 


2.C. Documenting [fieldworker] visits on the cover page 


As described above, the interviewer will provide the information on the cover page 
to identify the household and the total number of eligible children and adults. It is 
the responsibility of the biomarker technician to document when he/she visited the 
household to collect biomarkers under the section labeled, [FIELDWORKER] VISIT. 
You have at least three opportunities to visit the household to complete the 
biomarker collection. On your first visit to the household, you will record the date 
and write your name. If you do not complete biomarker collection for all the eligible 
respondents in your first visit, it will be necessary to make a second visit. You must 
arrange this second visit with the respondents or parent/responsible adult and ask 
when is the best day and time for you to return. You must record this date and time 
on the cover page of the biomarker questionnaire at NEXT VISIT. When you return a 
second time, you must document again the date of your second visit and write your 
name. When you have finished a household, on your last visit, you must enter the 
date under FINAL VISIT as DAY-MONTH-YEAR and record your TOTAL NUMBER OF 
VISITS. It is also acceptable for the first and second visit to occur on the same day if 
the respondent or the parent/responsible adult requests it. However, if you return 
to that household on the same day and the child still is not present, you are 
required to make two additional visits to that household. 


Example: In a household there is 1 woman, 1 man and 3 eligible children. You 
arrive to the house for your first visit on 16 July 2020 and complete biomarker 
testing for the woman and all 3 children. You are told by the woman to return on 17 
July at 8:00 AM to speak with the male respondent. You make a second visit to the 
household on 17 July at 8:00 AM and complete the biomarker testing for the male 
respondent. You finished testing the man on 17 July and made 2 visits to the 
household. It is important to complete the FIELDWORKER VISITS section daily. Do 
not wait until you finish a household to complete this section. You will enter your 
final visit only once you have completed the household. You or the interviewer can 
record notes in the NOTES section that pertain to the household or respondents. 


10 


FIELDWORKER VISITS 


_ 16 July 2020 |17 July 2020 a ELA 
7 


FIELOWORKER'S MONTH 
NAME 


ver [2/0 [270] 


nexr visir: pate | 17 July 2020 ere 
TIME 08:00 AM OF VISITS 


NOTES 
TOTAL ELIGIBLE 1 
WOMEN 


TOTAL ELIGIBLE 
MEN 


TOTAL ELIGIBLE 
CHILDREN 


SE 


The language of the questionnaire is prepopulated. You are responsible for 
recording the language of the interview and native language of the respondent 
using the LANGUAGE CODES on the cover page. You also must indicate if ‘YES’ a 
translator was used by entering 1, or ‘NO’ a translator was not used by entering ‘2’ 
in the space provided. 


LANGUAGE OF LANGUAGE OF 1 NATIVE LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR 
QUESTIONNAIRE** INTERVIEW** OF RESPONDENT (YES = 1, NO = 2) 


LANGUAGE OF **LANGUAGE CODES 
QUESTIONNAIRE*™* ENG LISH 01 ENGLISH 03 LANGUAGE 3 05 LANGUAGE 5 


02 LANGUAGE 2 04 LANGUAGE 4 06 LANGUAGE 6 


2.D. Asking Questions and Reading Informed Consent Statements 


It is very important that you ask each question and read consent statement exactly 
as it is written in the questionnaire. Always speak slowly and clearly so that the 
respondent will have no difficulty hearing or understanding the question or consent 
statement. At times you may need to repeat the question or consent statement to 
be sure the respondent understands it. In those cases, do not change the wording, 
but repeat it exactly as it is written. 


If, after you have repeated a question or consent statement, the respondent still 
does not understand it, you may have to restate it. Be very careful when you 
change the wording, however, that you do not alter the meaning of the original 
question or consent statement. 


Prior to biomarker measurement, one of the primary tasks is to explain the purpose 
of the measurement or test to eligible respondents or, in the case of children, to the 
parent or responsible adult, and to obtain their consent before collecting blood 
samples or conducting biomarker measurements. In the absence of a parent, the 
consent of a responsible adult who is at least 18 years of age is required. If the 
parent or responsible adult does not consent to the test, the test must not be 


11 


performed. 


Process of obtaining informed consent for children: 


Children (age 6- | Obtain the consent of one of the child’s parents, or, in the 

59 months) absence of a parent, the consent of a responsible adult who is 
at least 18 years of age. If the parent or responsible adult 
does not consent to the test, do not perform the test. 


To ensure that these individuals can make an “informed” decision about whether to 
have their children tested, the Biomarker Questionnaire includes a consent 
statement which you must read to the parent/responsible adult. These consent 
statements include the following basic elements: 


e A description of the objectives of the test 

e Basic information on how the test will be conducted 

e Assurances about the confidentiality of the results 

e A specific request for permission to collect the sample and do the testing 


If you have to reword the consent statement so that the respondent may 
understands it, you must still include these four elements of informed consent listed 
above. 


You will notice that some questions contain one or more words in parentheses. As 
shown below, the presence of parentheses indicates that a sentence needs to be 
adapted to fit the respondent’s specific situation. 


Parentheses that indicate a substitution must be made: 
Example: 


ASK CONSENT FOR ANEMIA TEST FROM PARENT/RESPONSIBLE ADULT: 


As part of this survey, we are asking people all over the country to take an anemia test. Anemia is a serious health problem that usually 
results from poor nutrition, infection, or chronic disease. This survey will assist the government to develop programs to prevent and 
treat anemia. We ask that all children under age 5 take part in anemia testing. The anemia test requires a few drops of blood from a 
finger or heel. The equipment used to take the blood is clean and completely safe. It has never been used before and will be thrown 
away after each test. 


The blood will be tested for anemia immediately, and the result will be told to you right away. The result will be kept strictly confidential 
and will not be shared with anyone other than members of our survey team. 


Do you have any questions? 
You can say yes or no. It is up to you to decide. 
Will you allow (NAME OF CHILD) to participate in the anemia test? 


Notice that the word in parentheses is in all capital letters. Words in all caps are 
instructions to biomarker technicians that are not meant to be read out 
loud. Instead, in this example, you should substitute in the name of child for which 


12 


you are seeking informed consent for testing. For instance, if you are seeking 
informed consent for anemia testing from a woman who has a son named Barack, 
ask “Will you allow Barack to participate in the anemia test?” 


2.E. Recording Responses 


All biomarker technicians should use pens with blue ink to complete all paper 
questionnaires. Never use a pencil to complete the survey questionnaire. 


There are generally three types of questions in the [COUNTRY] DHS biomarker 
questionnaire: 1) questions that have precoded responses; 2) questions that do not 
have precoded responses, i.e., those that are “open-ended;” and 3) filters. 


Questions with precoded responses 


For some questions, we can predict the types of answers a respondent will give or 
you know how the procedure in question was performed. The responses to these 
questions are listed in the questionnaire. To record a respondent’s answer, you 
merely circle the number (code) that corresponds to the reply. Make sure that each 
circle surrounds only a single number. 


Example: 


WAS THE CHILD MEASURED LYING DOWN OR STANDING UP? LYING DOWN 
STANDING UP 


In some cases, precoded responses will include ‘OTHER.’ The OTHER code should be 
selected only when the respondent’s answer is different from any of the precoded 
responses listed for the question or when you have encountered an issue in the field 
that does not permit you to proceed with the biomarker collection. Before using the 
OTHER code, you should make sure the answer does not fit in any of the specified 
categories. 


Example: 


WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS. 


In this case, an acceptable use of ‘OTHER’ would be receiving permission from the 


parent/responsible adult to take the weight of the child, but you faced a 
mechanical issue with the scale that would not allow you to take the weight, 
i.e., no batteries or dead batteries. 


Recording responses that are not precoded 
13 


The answers to some questions are not precoded but require that you write the 
appropriate response in the space provided or the respondent’s results. 


Example 


IF CHILD IS AGE 0-1 YEARS: WHY WAS (NAME) MEASURED STANDING UP? 
IF CHILD IS AGE 2-4 YEARS: WHY WAS (NAME) MEASURED LYING DOWN? 


The child, age 3, has a disability that makes it impossible for him to stand on his own. 


Recording numbers or dates in boxes 


In some questions, you will record a number (i.e., result) or date in the boxes 
provided. In such cases, you must enter information in all the boxes. 


Example: For a child with an anemia result of 6.7 g/dL. 


NOT PRESENT 994 
REFUSED “sie 995 
OTHER 996 


RECORD HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL HERE AND IN THE [ANTHROPOMETRY AND ANEMIA 
PAMPHLET] 


125 


When a response has fewer digits than the number of boxes provided, you should 
fill in leading zeroes as shown above. An anemia result of 6.7 g/dL needs to be 
recorded as 06.7g/dL. 


Example: For a child with an anemia result of 10.4 g/dL. 


RECORD HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL HERE AND IN THE [ANTHROPOMETRY AND ANEMIA 
PAMPHLET} 


NOT PRESENT 
REFUSED ees 995 
OTHER 996 


994 


Always record the result exactly as given. 


2.F. Marking Filters and Following Skip Patterns 
Marking Filters 


Filters require you to look back to the answer to a previous question and then mark 
an ‘X’ in the appropriate box. 


Example: 
CHECK 103: IS THE CHILD AGE 0-5 MONTHS OR  OLDER AGE 0-5 = 
IS THE CHILD OLDER? MONTHS 125 


To ensure the proper flow of a paper questionnaire, you will sometimes be directed 
to check a respondent’s answer to an earlier question, indicate what the response 


14 


was by marking a box with an ‘X’, and then follow the relevant skip instruction. 
Questions of this type are called “filters”; they are used to prevent a respondent 
from being asked the same question multiple times. Use caution when answering 
filters. Filters involve skip patterns so ensure you are following them correctly. 


Following Skip Patters 


It is very important not to ask a respondent any questions that are not relevant to 
his or her situation. For example, you should not read an anemia consent statement 
to a parent/responsible adult of a child age 0-5 months. In cases where a particular 
response makes subsequent questions irrelevant, an instruction is written in the 
questionnaire directing you to skip to the next appropriate question. 


Example: 


CHECK 103: IS THE CHILD AGE 0-5 MONTHS OR  OLDER AGE 0-5 SZ 
IS THE CHILD OLDER? MONTHS © 125 


Always follow the skip patterns! 


Unless a skip pattern is present, always move directly to the next question. 


2.G. Correcting Mistakes 


When working with a paper questionnaire, it is very important that you record all 
answers neatly. For precoded responses, be sure that you circle the code for the 
correct response carefully. When recording responses that are not precoded, the 
reply should be written legibly so that it can be easily read. If you made a mistake 
in entering a respondent’s result, the respondent wishes to change his/her reply, or 
you have made a mistake, be sure that you cross out the incorrect response and 
enter the right answer. Just put two diagonal lines through the incorrect response. 


Here is how to correct a mistake: 


Example: 


RECORD HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL HERE AND IN THE [ANTHROPOMETRY AND ANEMIA 
PAMPHLET]. 


CHECK 122: HEMOGLOBIN RESULT BELOW [8.0 G/DL], 
SEVERE ANEMIA 
[8.0 G/DL] OR ABOVE 125 


Remember that if you are not careful to cross out mistakes neatly, it may not be 


15 


possible to determine the correct answer when the data are entered later into the 
computer. 


2.H. 


Key points to remember 


The following steps are important to remember when completing the Biomarker 
Questionnaire: 


Children should be measured after the mother is interviewed. If the 
mother is not present in the household, children should be measured after 
the responsible adult has given consent for biomarker collection. 

Measure and/or test for biomarkers one respondent at a time. All the 
biomarker measurements for the [COUNTRY] DHS should be performed on 
one respondent before moving on to the next eligible respondent. Complete 
the measurement of all biomarkers from one respondent before proceeding 
to the next. Failure to do so may lead to the results of one respondent being 
recorded for another respondent. 

Never alter any responses or information transferred by the 
interviewer from the CAPI list of individuals eligible for the 
Biomarker Questionnaire without consulting the interviewer who 
completed the Household Questionnaire. Even in cases where there are 
concerns about a respondent’s eligibility for testing, proceed with the 
biomarker collection. Record in the notes section of the Biomarker 
Questionnaire a description of the problem. Provide as many details as 
possible. The field organization/central office will decide later what will be 
done about the test results for the respondent in question. 

Read the applicable consent statements to each adult, minor and 
parent/responsible adult exactly as they appear in the Biomarker 
Questionnaire. When you arrive at the household and begin talking about 
the blood tests with the respondent, you may informally discuss items 
included in the informed consent statement. However, before beginning the 
testing procedures, you must still read the informed consent statements 
exactly as they appear in the Biomarker Questionnaire. If the respondent 
finds the statements repetitive, tell him or her that you are required to read 
the statements to ensure that they are given all the appropriate information. 
Read the informed consent statements clearly. Practice reading the 
consent statements out loud so that you become comfortable delivering them 
in a clear, natural voice and manner. Avoid speaking rapidly or in a 
monotone. 

Never attempt to force or coerce consent. Some respondents may be 
suspicious or fearful of having their blood collected for biomarker testing. 
Others may have questions or want to discuss the procedures before giving 
consent. Take time to patiently respond to all questions. 

Some parents/responsible adults may be reluctant to allow testing of a child 


16 


without consulting someone not present at the time of your visit (for 
example, a woman may want to consult her husband before giving 
permission). In such cases, make an appointment to return to the 
household later at an agreed upon time. If you believe it will help, ask 
the team supervisor to visit a household where eligible respondents express 
fear or reluctance to be tested. 


17 


Chapter 3. ANTHROPOMETRY 


Learning objective 


m Define anthropometry 

m List materials and equipment for anthropometry 
m Assembly and disassembly of measuring board 
fa 


Complete the appropriate section of the Biomarker Questionnaire related 
to anthropometry 


Demonstrate measuring weight of adults and children who can stand 
Demonstrate measuring weight of infants 
Demonstrate measuring height of adults and children who can stand 


Demonstrate measuring length of infants 
3.A. Introduction 


nthropometry refers to the measurement of humans. In the [COUNTRY] DHS, anthropometry 
refers solely to the measurement of a person’s height (length) and weight. This 
information can be used to assess the nutritional status of a population. For 
children, standard indices of physical growth related to nutritional status are height- 
for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age. A child who is below minus two 
standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median of a reference population in terms of 
height-for-age is considered short for his/her age or stunted. A child who is below 
minus three standard deviations (-3 SD) from the median of a reference population 
in terms of height-for-age is considered severely stunted. Stunting is a measure of 
growth faltering and may result from poor diet and recurrent infections or chronic 
diseases. A child who is below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the 
median of a reference population in terms of weight-for-height is considered too 
thin for his/her height or wasted. A child who is below minus three standard 
deviations (-3 SD) from the median of a reference population in terms of weight-for- 
height is considered severely wasted. Severe wasting is used to identify children 
with severe acute malnutrition. Wasting is a measure of acute weight loss and may 
result from inadequate food intake, repeated illness or infection. A child who is 
above two standard deviations (+2 SD) from the median of a reference population 
in terms of weight-for-height is considered heavy for his/her height, or 
overweight/obese. Overweight/obesity is a measure of excess weight and results 
from an imbalance between energy consumed (too much) and energy expended 
(too little). Weight-for-age or underweight is a composite index of stunting and 
wasting that reflects children who are stunted, wasted, or both. 


mong adults, height and weight measurement are used to calculate a person’s body mass index 
18 


(BMI) and to assess a woman’s risk of having difficulty during childbirth due to her 
short stature (height <145 cm). BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in 
kilograms by the height in meters squared (kg/m’). BMI values are used to 
determine the percentage of the adult population that is normal, underweight, 
overweight and obese. 


mong adolescents (age 15-19), sex specific BMi-for-age and low height-for-age in girls are 
calculated. Low height-for-age is used to identify stunted adolescents. These 
different measurements are used for adolescents because they are still growing, 
and the timing of peak growth velocity differs in boys and girls. BMl-for-age is a 
ratio of weight relative to height for different age groups and is used to determine 
the percentage of the adolescent population that is normal, underweight, 
overweight and obese. 


3.B. Materials and equipment for anthropometry 


In addition to the Biomarker Questionnaire, the following supplies are needed: 


SECA 878 U digital scale?: For 
weighing children and adults. The 
scale has a 200-kg capacity and 
weighs in 0.1 kg increments. The 
scale is powered by six AA batteries 
and has an “ON-OFF” switch located 
at the side of the scale. 


? The Seca 878 digital floor scale is manufactured by Seca Corporation, Munich, Germany. 
These instructions were adapted from instructions that accompany the Uniscale and 
revised by Irwin J. Shorr, MPH, MPS. 

19 


Measuring board: For measuring 
the height (length) of children and 
adults. 


Standard weight: A standard 
weight of at least 5 kg is used to 
check the accuracy of the scales. 


Standard length rod: A rod of a 
standard height is used to check the 
accuracy of the measuring board. 


Two paper handouts are available to parents/responsible adults: 


1. Informational pamphlet: a document designed to inform the 
parent/responsible adult about anemia, nutrition (and other conditions 
measured in the survey), including definitions, symptoms, causes, and 
methods of prevention. In addition, the child’s Hb, height, and weight (and 
other biomarkers measured in the survey) results are recorded and classified 
within this document. See Appendix A for an example of an informational 


20 


3.C 


pamphlet. 


Referral for severe acute malnutrition: Severe acute malnutrition is a 
life-threatening condition requiring treatment. Children must be referred to a 
local clinic or health center for further assessment and appropriate care. See 
Appendix B for an example of a referral for severe acute malnutrition. 


Procedures and precautions before measuring height and 
weight 


Layout of the Procedures: Each step of the measurement procedure is 
directed at specific participants, who are named in bold letters at the 
beginning of each step: "Measurer" and "Assistant". 


Two Trained People Required: Two trained people are required to 
measure a child's height or length. The Measurer holds the child and takes 
the measurements. The assistant helps hold the child and records the 
measurements in the Biomarker Questionnaire. 


Measuring board and Scale Placement: Be selective about where you 
place the measuring board and scale. It is best to measure outdoors during 
daylight hours. If it is cold, raining or if too many people congregate and 
interfere with the measurements, it may be more comfortable to weigh and 
measure indoors. Make sure there is adequate light, but not in direct 
sunlight. 


The scale should be set up away from electrical appliances including mobile 
phones. 


The scale and measuring board should always be placed on an even and flat 
surface. 


The measuring board should always be supported, look for a wall, table or 
tree that the measuring board can safely lean against. If there is no support 
identified, have someone stand behind the measuring board to hold it. 


. Age Assessment: Before you measure, confirm the child's age based on Qs. 


103 and 104 in the biomarker questionnaire. If the child is less than age 2 
years, measure length (the child lying down). If the child is age 2 years or 
older, measure height (the child is standing). If accurate age is not possible 


to obtain, measure length if the child is less than 87 cm. Measure height if 
the child is equal to or greater than 87 cm. 


Weigh and Measure One Child at a Time: If there is more than one 
eligible child in a household, complete the weighing and measuring of one 
child at a time. Then proceed with the next eligible child. DO NOT weigh and 
measure all the children together. Instead complete all of the biomarker 
collection for each eligible child before moving to the next child. 


21 


9. If there is more than one eligible woman in a household, collect all the 
biomarker measurements for which she is eligible. Perform the biomarker 
collection for all her eligible children before proceeding with the next woman. 
Collecting biomarkers from the woman (or mother) first, may make the 
process of collection biomarkers from children easier, especially for 
anthropometry. Return weighing and measuring equipment to the storage 
bags after you complete the measurements for each household. 


10.Control the Child: When you weigh and measure, you must control the 
child. The strength and mobility of even very young children should not be 
underestimated. Be firm yet gentle with children. Your own sense of calm and 
self-confidence will be felt by the parent and the child. 


Note: When a child has contact with a measuring board, you must hold and control 
the child so the child will not trip or fall. Never leave a child alone with a piece of 
equipment. 


11.Coping with stress: Since weighing and measuring requires touching and 
handling children, normal stress levels for this type of survey work are higher 
than for surveys where only verbal information is collected. 


Explain the weighing and measuring procedures to the mother, father, or other responsible 
adult and to a limited extent, the child, to help minimize possible resistance, 
fears or discomfort they may feel. You must determine if the child or the 
parent is under so much stress that the weighing and measuring must stop. 
Remember, young children are often uncooperative; they tend to cry, 
scream, kick and sometimes bite. If a child is under severe stress and is 
crying excessively, try to calm the child or return the child to the parent 
before proceeding with the measuring. 


Do not weigh or measure a child if: 


e The parent/responsible adult refuses. 

e The child is too sick. 

e If the child is distressed, wait and attempt to measure the child once 
the child calms down. 


For children and adults with physical disabilities: 


e Measure children and adults with physical disabilities and note the 
disability on the questionnaire. Some individuals’ disabilities may make 
it difficult to stand, straighten their arms, legs, or back, or hold 
themselves steady. In such cases, adapting the measurement 
protocols may be required and noted in the questionnaire. 


22 


12.Recording Measurements and Being Careful: Keep objects out of your 


hands and pens out of your mouth, hair or breast pocket when you weigh and 
measure so that neither the child nor you will get hurt due to carelessness. 
When you are not using a pen, place it in your equipment pack or on the 
questionnaire. Make sure you do not have long fingernails. Remove 
interfering rings and watches before you weigh and measure. 


13.Strive for Improvement: You can be an expert measurer if you strive for 


improvement and follow every step of every procedure the same way every 
time. The quality and speed of your measurements will improve with 
practice. You will be required to measure women, men, and children. 


o not take these procedures for granted even though they may seem simple and repetitious. It 
is easy to make errors when you are not careful. Do not omit any steps. 
Concentrate on what you are doing. 


3.D. 


Determining eligibility 


All eligible, consenting respondents age 0-4 years and 15-[49] years can 


be measured. 


Verbal permission for anthropometry must be obtained. For children age 0-4 years, 


L 


verbal permission must be obtained from the parent or responsible adult age 
18 years or older. 


The interviewer will identify all children who are potentially eligible for 
anthropometry based on information collected in the Household 
Questionnaire and will enter their names and line numbers in Q. 102. They 
will then enter each child’s date of birth and age in Q. 103 and Q. 104, 
respectively. For children whose mothers were interviewed, this information 
will come from the tablet report. For children whose mothers weren’t 
interviewed, Q. 103 and Q. 104 will be completed based on information 
provided by a responsible adult. The interviewer will then complete Q. 105. 


Using information collected in the Household Questionnaire and presented on 
the table report, the interviewer will complete Q. 202-204 for women age 15- 
49 and Q. 302-304 for men age 15-[49]. 


At this point, the interviewer will hand the Biomarker Questionnaire to the 
biomarker technician who is responsible for completing the remainder of the 
questionnaire. 


Note that for children only, it is possible children will be entered into the 
Biomarker Questionnaire who are not eligible for measurement. Before 
completing Q. 106, check Q105, and confirm the child is age 0-4 years. If the 
child is older than age 0-4 years, there will be an X in the box next to NO, 
which indicates the child should not be measured. Instead, skip to Q. 125 and 
go on to the next eligible child. 


23 


3.E. Preparing to Take Weight 


Before taking any measurements with the scale, cover the second window 
display facing the respondent. Dark tape can be used. Covering the second display 
window will reduce errors when recording the weight. For example, a weight of 9.60 
kg could be erroneously recoded as 6.90 kg if read upside down in the respondent 
display window. 


Show the scale (Seca 878 digital scale) to the adult and explain that you will weigh 
her/him and their children on the scale. Tell her/him that infants and any other 
children who will not stand on the scale alone can be held by the adult to obtain the 
child’s weight. Ask the adult to wear light clothing while being weighed and to 
remove shoes/sandals, any heavy clothing, heavy ornaments, items in pockets, etc. 
To obtain an accurate weight, it is important to remove as much clothing as 
possible from the child being weighed. Therefore, before beginning, request the 
caregiver to remove the child’s clothing until he/she is wearing only undergarments. 
Due to cultural preferences or climate, some parents/caregivers may not allow the 
child to be measured without clothing. To accommodate this preference and 
maintain accuracy, children may be wrapped in a blanket. The blanket must be 
weighed prior to weighing the child so wrapping a child in a blanket is only possible 
if the child is being held. 


Preparing the Scale 
1. Placement: Take the scale out of the storage bag and place the scale on a 


hard, level surface. Uneven surfaces or vibration may cause the scale to 
malfunction. 


Seca 878 scale 


2. Power supply: The scale is powered by six AA 1.5 V batteries. To install the 
batteries, carefully turn over the scale so that the base is accessible. Open 
the battery compartment and insert the batteries, checking that the polarity 
of each is correct. 


24 


3. Setting up and aligning the scale: If the surface is not level, align the 
scale by turning the foot screws. The air bubble in the spirit level must be in 
the center of the circle. Ensure that only the feet of the scale are in contact 
with the floor. The scale itself may not be in contact with the hard surface at 
any point. The alignment of the base of the scale must be checked and 
corrected as necessary every time the location of the scale is changed. 


spirit level 


4. Power the scale using the ON-OFF switch located at the side of the display 
window. 


Controls and displays 
hold/2 in 1 key start key ON-OFF switch 


ON-OFF switch 


Scale functions: The “Start” key will start the scale when charged batteries are 
in place and the ON-OFF switch in ON. There are two displays on the scale. As 
mentioned above, the display facing the respondent should be covered with tape so 
that ONLY the display facing the Measurer is visible. The “HOLD” function will 
lock the weight in the display so that the Measurer can read the weight. The “2 
in 1” function allows a child who needs to be held by an adult to be weighed. 


25 


The scale will not function correctly if it is bumped, knocked or moved during the 
weighing. It is best to use the scale in the shade or indoors with adequate light if 
the weather is inhospitable. Handle the scale carefully: 


3.F. 


e Start the scale for weighing by pressing the “START” key. Press the start 
key inward, not down. If the scale has no power, push the ON-OFF switch 
to ON. 
Do not drop or bump the scale. 
Do not weigh a total load of more than 200 kg. 
Do not store the scale in direct sunlight or other hot places. 
Protect the scale against excess humidity or moisture. 
To clean the scale, wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and dry immediately 
Never put the scale in water. 
After using the scale, power the scale OFF using the ON-OFF switch. 
The scale switches off on its own after a certain time: 
o After 3 minutes in Normal mode 
o After 2 minutes in the “2 in 1” mode 


Weighing Adults and Children Who Can Stand on the Scale by 
Themselves 


o not set up next to electrical appliances, for instance by a television. 


i 


If the power supply is not activated, push the power switch to position “ON”. 
The scale now has power. The display should show “SECA, 8.8.8.8.8 and 
“0.00.” The scale automatically sets to zero and is now ready for use. Wait 
for the scale to display the numbers “0.00” before asking the adult or child to 
step on the scale. 


. Before stepping onto the scale, ask the respondent to remove all keys, 


mobile phones, etc. from their pockets. 


Ask the respondent to step onto the center of the scale and stand still. Ask 
him/her to stand straight without leaning and looking straight ahead. Wait 
until the numbers are stable on the display window. 


26 


Feet should be 
centered on scale. 


https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


4. After a quick (Short) press on the “HOLD/2 in 1” key, the “HOLD” anda A 
appear in the display window; the weight remains frozen until the next 
weighing operation. Record all digits displayed for the weight. 


e For children, record the child’s weight measurement in Q. 106. If the 
child’s weight was not measured, record the appropriate code in Q. 
106 then skip to Q. 108- as shown below. 


106 | WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS. 
(4) MR is 5 


NOFPRESENT. :::cc.cs 9994 
REFUSED: scscuscacecnys 9995 108 
HER: “-soseossusmasse 9996 


e Record if the child is minimally dressed in Q. 107. The term “minimally 
dressed” refers to the child without shoes, heavy ornaments, and 
undressed down to the underwear or other light weight undergarment. 
If the child is minimally dressed circle ‘1’ for ‘YES.’ Circle ‘2’ for ‘NO’ 
only if the child is not minimally dressed. 


e For adults, record an adult’s weight measurements in Q. 205/305. If 
the adult’s weight was not measured, record the appropriate code in Q. 
205/305, then skip to Q. 207. 


WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS 


NOT PRESENT .... 
REFUSED on oj. 2 207 


e Record if the adult was wearing only lightweight clothing in Q. 
206/Q306. The term “lightweight clothing” refers to the adult without 
27 


3.G. 


shoes, heavy ornaments, and heavy articles of clothing such as thick 
jerseys and shawls, jackets, and heavy pants or skirts. If the adult is 
wearing lightweight clothing circle ‘1’ for ‘YES.’ Circle ‘2’ for ‘NO’ only if 
the adult is not wearing lightweight clothing. 


The “HOLD” function can be switched off by a quick (Short) press again on 
the “HOLD/2 in 1” key and the “HOLD” display vanishes. 


Weighing Infants or Children Who Must be Held by an Adult 
While on the Scale 


If Child does NOT NEED to be Covered with a Blanket or Cloth: 


ote: The adult should be measured separately from the child, recording an adult’s weight while 
measuring a child should not be done to avoid incorrect recording in the Biomarker 
Questionnaire. 


1. Ask the adult to step onto the center of the scale and stand still. Wait until 


the numbers are stable on the display window. 


While the adult is still on the scale, press (Long) the “HOLD/2 in 1” button. 
The scale returns to “0.00” and the “NET” appears in the window display. 


Standing directly in front of the scale, give the child to the adult. The scale 
will determine the weight of the child even though the adult is on the scale. 
Once the value for the child’s weight is stable for about 3 seconds, the value 


is retained and “HOLD”, A and “NET” appear in the display window. 


G Second, adult 
‘ holds child 
securely. 


First, center adult 
on scale. 


https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


It is very important to understand the use and difference of a Long versus Short 


28 


press on the “HOLD/2 in 1” button. In the above statement, a Long press on the 
“HOLD/2 in 1” button is required to activate the “2 in 1” function needed to 
weigh children who need to be held. A Short press on the “HOLD/2 in 1” button 
will activate the “HOLD” function to freeze and hold the weight measurement on 
the display of an adult respondent or a child who can stand alone until you are 
ready to record the result in the Biomarker Questionnaire. 


4. Record the weight of the child as displayed on the scale (the scale measures 
with 100 g resolution) in the Biomarker Questionnaire. The second digit after the 
decimal will ONLY read “0”. Thus, a weight of 6.52 kg isn’t possible, but a 
weight of 6.50 kg is possible on the scale. 


Note: After recording the weight, press the “Start” button to reset the scale. 


there are other children to be weighed who must be held by the adult, finish all measurements 
for the first child before moving onto the next. 


If Child NEEDS to be Covered with a Blanket or Cloth: 


If it is cold and/or the adult wants the child to be covered during the weighing, 
follow the instructions below carefully: 


1. Wait for the scale to display “0.00”. 


2. Give the adult a blanket or cloth and ask him or her to step on the scale. 


3. When the numbers in the display window stabilize, press (Long) the 
“HOLD/2 in 1” button. The scale returns to “0.00” and the “NET” appears in 
the window display. 


4. Give the child to the adult and ask him or her to cover the child with the 
blanket or cloth. 


5. The scale will determine the weight of the child even though the adult is on 
the scale. Once the value for the child’s weight is stable for about 3 seconds, 
the value is retained and “HOLD”, À and “NET” appear in the display 
window. 


6. Record the weight of the child as shown on the scale (the scale measures 
with a 100 g resolution) in the Biomarker Questionnaire. The second digit 
after the decimal will ONLY read “O0”. Thus, a weight of 6.52 kg isn’t possible, 
but a weight of 6.50 kg is possible. 


For weight measurements, the most frequent causes of errors are: 


e Placing the scale on an uneven surface 


29 


e Placing the scale near an electronic source, including a mobile device or 
tablet 

+ Forgetting to ask the respondent to remove clothing, shoes, and heavy 
ornaments 

e Adjusting the position of the respondent while on the scale 

e Incorrectly reading the scale, from a slanted angle or not facing the scale 

e Incorrectly recording the weight in the Biomarker Questionnaire 


Additional Notes on the SECA scale: 


e The SECA scale switches off automatically 3 minutes after the last weighing 
in the “Normal Mode” or two minutes, if the “2 in 1” function is activated. 


+ Do not weigh loads with a total weight of more than 200 kg. 
3.H. Troubleshooting 


Possible reasons for the scale not taring (returning to “0.00”) after pressing (Long 
press) the “2 in 1” key when the adult stands on the scale): 


o There was no weight on the scale to tare (i.e., the adult was not on the 
scale). 

o The “2 in 1” function was not activated. 

o The load weighs more than 200 kg; “STOP” appears in the display. If 
the load is over 200 kg when an adult is holding a child, use an 
individual of less weight to hold the child. 


What to do if the Scale Display Shows the Following Errors: 


No weight is displayed when there is a load on the scale? 


e Ask the adult to step off the scale, and check to see if the ON-OFF 
switch at the side of the scale is in the “ON” position. 

e Press the “START” key to prepare the scale for weighing if the ON- 
OFF switch is set to ON. 

e Check the batteries 


The scale keeps switching on while being transported? The “START” key has been 
activated. Turn the power OFF using the ON-OFF switch. 


The scale displays a weight after being transported or after new batteries have 
been put in? Press the “START” key; the scale will work normally again. 


“0.00" does not appear before weighing? Start the scale again by pressing the 
“START” key. There should not be any load on the scale. 


“.---" appears instead of “0.00” before weighing? Start the scale again after it 
switches off automatically; there should not be any load on the scale. 


One segment of the display is illuminated constantly or not at all? There is a 
30 


problem with that segment of the scale. Inform your supervisor and use a 
replacement. 


The display shows a battery with split shading? The battery voltage is running low. 
The batteries should be changed in a few days. 


“batt” appears in the display? The batteries are empty. Replace the batteries. 


“STOP” appears in the display? The maximum load capacity of the scale has been 
exceeded. 


The display flashes? Take the load off the scale and start again. Wait until 0.00 
appears and weight again._ 


Er and a number appear in the display window? Start the scale again after it 
switches off automatically. The scale should work normally again. If not, turn the 


ON-OFF switch to OFF and then back to ON. If the scale still does not work properly, 
inform your supervisor and use a replacement. 


3.1. Preparing to measure height/length 


Show the measuring board to the adult and explain that you will use it to measure 
her/him and the children in the household who are age 0-4 years. Tell her/him that a 
child less than age 2 years will be measured lying down on his/her back and a child 
2- 4 years will be measured standing. Inform her/him even if a child less than age 2 
years can stand on his/her own, he/she will still be measured lying down (length). 
Inform the adult that his/her help will be needed to calm and focus the child. 


Preparing the measuring board 


1. The measuring board requires assembly. It consists of three separate pieces 
(“A,” “B,” and “C”) that, for ease of transport, are held together by bolts and 
a moveable head/footpiece. In transport mode, the measuring board is stored 
in a case. 


2. Remove the measuring board 


: Height M ing B 
prepared for transport from its Se arene ee 


case and stand it upright on its | | ne | ere 
base. | | | 
| 4 | | J TA | : 
3. As you face the board, release | | A Ys | : 
the front bolt by turning it | À re | à 
counter-clockwise. This will | : | Ë 
liberate board “C.” Set board | | | f 
“pr 7 El JACK OARD 
C” aside. | _ | 
SHOULDER [een 
| Ei STRAP——__ 
CARRYING || Ë 


HANDLE Sn : 
IT | 
I U 


N 


PEG 


5 il \ 
t \ Ë | BASE OF BOARD 


4. The second bolt attaching board “B” to base “A” is on the back of «gp 
base “A.” Turn the second bolt counter-clockwise to liberate board 
“B.” You now have three separate pieces: A, B, and C. 


5. To assemble, slide board “B” into base “A” and fasten the clasps at | 
the back of the board. Next, slide board “C” into board “B” and A 
fasten the second set of clasps. Thus, as shown, base “A” is linked 
to board “B” and board “B” is linked to board “C”. 


6. If it is not possible to clasp the boards together, the pieces have been 
assembled improperly - recheck the instructions and try again. 


7. The sliding auto-lock head/footpiece is stored at the base of the measuring 
board; it can be moved up or down the length of the measuring board and 
will stay in place wherever it is positioned. Hold the sliding head/footpiece by 
the center triangle and slide it the length of the assembled board to make 
Sure it is functioning properly. 


8. Make sure that the measuring tape is intact, and the numbers are clearly 
visible. 


Note: If taller respondents are not being measured, board “C” should be set aside 
until needed and the Measurer and Assistant should use base “A” and board “B” 
to measure. 


3.J. Measuring a child’s height 
There are two positions that must be exact when measuring a child’s height. 


A line of sight is required for measuring both length and height. For height, 
imagine there is a line parallel to the ground from the base of the board to the ear 
through the lower eye socket. 


An imaginary line, running from the shoulder to the heel, is required for 
measuring height. The imaginary line is required to determine if the feet should be 
against or away from the back of the board so that the line is perpendicular to the 
base of the board. 


Both the Measurer and Assistant have 2 responsibilities (the rule of 2). 


Measurer Rule of 2: Position child correctly (Line of Sight and Imaginary Line) 
and Measurement (note hand placement around chin). 


32 


_  Measurer 
Hand Placement 


Assistant will 1) hold the legs (knee and shin) and 2) record the measurement. 


Assistant Rule of 2: Hold the Legs and Record the measurement (note the 
placement of questionnaire) 


+ Tu. à w. 
blication/unint/dp_un_int_81_041_6E.pdf 


https://unstats.un.org/unsd/pu 


1. Measurer or Assistant: Place the measuring board on a hard, flat surface 
against a wall, table, tree or staircase. Make sure the measuring board is 
stable. Many walls and floors are not at perfect right angles. 


2. Measurer or Assistant: Ask the parent to take off the child’s shoes and to 
unbraid hair, remove any hair ornaments, or push aside any hair that would 
interfere with the height measurement. Ask the parent to bring the child to 
the measuring board and to kneel in front of the child so that the child will 
look forward at the parent. 


33 


3. Assistant: Place the questionnaire and pen on the ground (Arrow 1) and 
kneel on the right side of the child (Arrow 2). 


Measurer: Kneel on the left of the child (Arrow 3). The measurer should 
ALWAYS be on the side of the measuring board with the measuring tape. 


5. Assistant: Place the child’s knees and feet in the correct position, with knees 


and feet either together or apart. There are three possible positions for the 
knees and feet: 


NU Ji 


“Kneegand  Knees together, Feet together, 
feet thgetter—teerapar—y—krees par 


whichever touches first! 
https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


6. Measurer: Determine if the child’s feet should be against or away from the 
back of the height board by observing the imaginary line drawn from the tip 
of the shoulder to the heel (Arrow 4). This line should be perpendicular (90° 
angle) to the base of the height board where the child is standing (the 


Assistant may have to move the child’s feet away from the back of the height 
board to put them in the proper position). 


Note: with most preschool-age children who are not overweight or obese, the heels 
will probably touch the back of the height board._ 


34 


. Questionnaire and pencil on ground 
. Assistant kneeling 
. Measurer kneeling and at eye level with child 
. Hand against shins 
. Hand against knees 
. Child looking straight ahead 
. Hand on chin 
. Shoulders level 
11. Arms at sides 
16. Headpiece firmly on head 


4. Body in straight line, check feet against back of 
board (most cases) 

8. Confirm line of sight 

12.Back of head 

13. Back of shoulders 

14. Buttocks 

15. Calves 


7. Assistant: With your thumbs against the index finger of each hand, place 
your right hand on the child’s shins (Arrow 5) and your left hand on the 
child’s knees (Arrow 6). Do not wrap your hands around the knees or feet 
(ankles) or squeeze them together. Make sure the child’s legs are straight. 


Note: Be sure to avoid gripping the knees which may lead to “wrapping” the knees 
together rather than pressing them down gently. 


8. Measurer: Ask the child to look straight ahead at the parent if she is 
kneeling in front of the child (Arrow 7). Make sure the child’s line of sight is 


35 


parallel to the ground (Arrow 8). Place the thumb and index finger of your left 
hand on each side of the child’s chin, and gradually close your hand (Arrow 
9). 


Note: with most preschool-age children who are not overweight or obese, the back 
of the head will touch the back of the height board (Arrow 12); however, if the child 
is overweight or obese, there will be a space between the back of the child’s head 
and the back of the measuring board. Make sure the child’s shoulders are level 
(Arrow 10), the hands are at the child’s side (Arrow 11), and at least the child’s 
buttocks touch the back of the measuring board. Most preschool-age children who 
are not overweight or obese, the back of the head, the shoulder blades, the 
buttocks, the calves and heels will touch the back of the measuring board (Arrows 
12, 13, 14, 15 & 4). 


9. Measurer and Assistant: Check the position of the child (Arrows 1-15). 
Repeat any steps as necessary. 


10.Measurer, then Assistant: When the child’s position is correct, lower the 
headpiece on top of the child’s head (Arrow 16) making sure to push through 
the child’s hair. Read and call out the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm. 
The Measurer should read the measuring tape at eye level. The Assistant 
will repeat aloud the measurement back to the Measurer and the 
Measurer will confirm. The Measurer will remove the headpiece from the 
child’s head, his or her left hand from the child’s chin, and will allow the child 
to return to the parent. 


11.Assistant: Record the height measurement in Q. 108. If the child’s height 
was not measured, record the appropriate code in Q. 108 and skip to Q. 113. 
Record that the child was measured standing up in Q. 109. Show it to the 
Measurer for confirmation. 


HEIGHT IN CENTIMETERS. 


IF CHILD IS AGE 0-1 YEARS, MEASURE LYING DOWN. 
IF CHILD IS AGE 2, 3, OR 4 YEARS, MEASURE STANDING UP. 


109 | WAS THE CHILD MEASURED LYING DOWN OR STANDING UP? LYING DOWN 
STANDING UP 


e Record in Q.110 whether the correct measurement procedure was followed 
based on the child’s age Q.104 and how the child was measured Q.109. If the 
child was measured standing up and they are 2 years or older record ‘YES’ 
and skip to Q.112. Record ‘NO’ if the child was measured standing up but 
they were less than two years old 


Note: It is important to record how the child was actually measured in Q. 109 
36 


whether or not they were supposed to be measured lying down or standing up. This 
question is not a reflection of whether you as a measurer performed the correct 
procedure. When a child is measured lying down the child will on average be 
Slightly taller than if he/ she was measured standing up. Thus, information on the 
child’s position during measurement is important later when calculating nutritional 
status. 


e If the child was not measured following correct procedures, the reason for 
this should be recorded in Q. 111. While you should do your best to follow the 
correct measurement procedures, there are times that this may be 
impossible. For example, the child has a disability or refuses to stand. 
Whatever the reason, it should be recorded in Q. 111. 


e Record in Q. 112 whether braided or ornamented hair interfered with the 
measurement. Record ‘YES’ if the hairstyle or ornamented hair could not be 
pushed apart or manipulated to allow the headpiece to rest on the top of the 
head. Record ‘NO’ only if braided or ornamented hair did not interfere with 
the measurement. 


CHECK 104 AND 109: BASED ON CHILD'S AGE, WAS CORRECT MEASUREMENT Pcupwusceh beeen ss 112 
PROCEDURE FOLLOWED? 


IF CHILD IS AGE 0-1 YEARS: WHY WAS (NAME) MEASURED STANDING UP? 
IF CHILD IS AGE 2-4 YEARS: WHY WAS (NAME) MEASURED LYING DOWN? 


WAS THE RECORDED MEASUREMENT INTERFERED WITH BY BRAIDED OR 
ORNAMENTED HAIR? 


12.Measurer: Check the recorded measurement on the questionnaire for 
accuracy and legibility. Instruct the Assistant to correct any errors. Mark your 
fieldworker number in Q. 113. 


13.Assistant: Mark your fieldworker number in Q. 114 and enter the date the 
measurement was taken in Q. 115. 


3.K. Measuring a child’s length 


For children less than age 2 years, both the Measurer and Assistant have 2 
responsibilities (the rule of 2). The Measurer will 1) press the child’s knees/shins 
down and 2) take the measurement. The Assistant will 1) position the child 
correctly for the proper line of sight with the head against the board and 2) record 
the measurement. Do not switch roles. 


Measurer Rule of 2: 


37 


e Presses Knees/Shins 
e Measurement 


https://unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/unint/dp_un_int 81 041 6E.pdf 


Assistant Rule of 2: 


Line of Sight, head against back of board, note the placement of the 
hands 
e Record the measurement (note the placement of questionnaire) 


38 


https://unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/unint/dp_un_int 81 041 6E.pdf 


. Questionnaire and pencil on ground 
. Assistant kneeling 

Measurer kneeling 

. Assistant’s hands cupped over ears 
. Child facing straight up 

Head against base of board 

. Child flat against board 

. Hand on knees/shins, legs straight 

. Feet flat against footpiece 


OMNDUNPWNPE 


https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


1. Measurer or Assistant: Place the measuring board on a hard, flat surface, 
such as the ground or floor. Make sure the measuring board is stable. 


2. Assistant: Place the questionnaire on the ground, floor or table (Arrow 1) 
and kneel behind the base of the measuring board if it is on the ground or 
floor (Arrow 2). 


3. Measurer: Kneel on the side of the measuring board with the measuring 
tape (at the child’s feet) so that you can move the foot piece with your right 
hand (Arrow 3). The measurer should ALWAYS be one the side of the 
measuring board with the measuring tape. 


4. Measurer and Assistant: With the help of the parent, gently lower the child 
onto the measuring board, making sure the measurer supports the child at 
the trunk of the body while the assistant supports the child’s head. 


5. Assistant: Cup your hands over the child’s ears (Arrow 4). With your arms 
straight place the child’s head against the base of the board. The child should 
be looking straight up (Arrow 5) so that the line of sight is perpendicular to 
the board. Your head should be directly over the child’s head. Watch the 
child’s head to make sure it is in the correct position against the base of the 
board (Arrow 6). Confirm the line of sight by looking at the profile of the child 
lying down. Again, an imaginary line should be drawn from the ear to the 
lower eye socket. 


6. Measurer: Make sure the child is lying flat in the center of the board (Arrow 
7). 


Place the child’s knees and feet in the correct position, with knees and feet either together 
39 


or apart. There are three possible positions for the knees and feet: 


“Kneesand  Knees together, Feet together, 
feet together feet apart knees apart 


whichever touches first! 
https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


With your thumb against your index finger, place your left hand on the child’s knees (Arrow 
8) and press them gently, but firmly against the board. Do not wrap your 
hand around the knees or squeeze them together. Make sure the child’s legs 
are straight. 


Note: It is not possible to straighten the knees of a newborn to the same degree as 
older children. If the child is agitated and both legs cannot be held in position, 
measure with one leg in position. 


7. Measurer: Check the position of the child (Arrows 1-8). Repeat any steps as 
necessary. 


8. Measurer, then Assistant: When the child’s position is correct, move the 
foot piece with your right hand until it is firmly against the child’s heels 
(Arrow 9). Read the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm and call out the 
measurement to the Assistant. The Assistant will repeat the 
measurement and the Measurer will confirm. 


9. Assistant: Record the height measurement in Q. 108. If the child’s height 
was not measured, record the appropriate code in Q108 and skip to Q. 113. 
Record that that the child was measured lying down in Q. 109. Show it to the 
Measurer for confirmation. 


e Record in Q. 110 whether the correct measurement procedure was 
followed based on the child’s age Q. 104 and how the child was 
measured Q. 109. If the child was measured following correct 
procedures record ‘YES’ and skip to Q. 112. Record ‘NO’ only if the 
child was not measured following correct procedures. 


e If the child was not measured following correct procedures, the 
reason for this should be recorded in Q. 111. For example, a child 
age 0-1 may have refused to lie down and so was measured 
standing up. 


40 


e Record in Q. 112 whether braided or ornamented hair interfered 
with the measurement. Record ‘YES’ if the hairstyle or ornamented 
hair could not be pushed apart or manipulated to allow the 
headpiece to rest on the top of the head. Record ‘NO’ only if 
braided or ornamented hair did not interfere with the 
measurement. 


10.Measurer: Check the recorded measurement on the questionnaire for 
accuracy and legibility. Instruct the Assistant to correct any errors. Mark 
your fieldworker number in Q. 113. 


11.Assistant: Mark your fieldworker number in Q. 114 and enter the date in Q. 
LES: 


3.L. Measuring an adult’s height 


The height of adults can be taken by one person alone, the Measurer. However, an 
Assistant can be used to record the measurement. 


Measurer: Place the measuring board on a hard, flat surface against a wall, table, 
tree or staircase. Make sure the measuring board is stable. Many walls and floors 
are not at perfect right angles. 


1. Measurer: Ask the person to take off his/her shoes and ask him/her to 
unbraid or push aside any hair that would interfere with the height 
measurement. Ask the person to stand on the base of the height measuring 
board and to face forward. 


2. Measurer: Place the questionnaire and pen on the ground and stand on the 
left-hand side of the person (the same side as the measuring tape). 


3. Measurer: Determine if the person’s feet should be against or away from the 
back of the height board by observing the imaginary line drawn from the tip 
of the shoulder to the heel (Arrow 1). This line should be perpendicular (90° 
angle) to the base of the height board where the person is standing. Note 
that with almost all adults, the measurer will have to move the person's feet 
away from the back of the board to put them in the proper position; (Arrow 
2). 


4. Measurer: Place the knees and feet in the correct position, with knees and 
feet either together or apart. There are three possible positions for the knees 
and feet: 


e Knees together and feet toge 


er 
e Knees together and feet apar whichever touches first! 
+ Knees apart and feet togethe 


41 


5. Measurer: Ask the person to look straight ahead. Cup the respondent’s chin 
between the thumb and index finger of your left hand and gradually close 
your hand. Position the person’s head so that the line of sight is parallel to 
the ground (Arrow 3). 


With most adults, the back of the head will not touch the back of the Measuring 
board —there will be a space between the back of the person’s head and the 
back of the measuring board (Arrow 4). After you have placed the person’s head 
in the proper position, release your hand from the person’s chin and ask him/her 
to hold his/her head in the position you have just placed it in. 


Make sure the person’s shoulders are level, the hands are at the person’s side 
(Arrow 7), and at least the buttocks touch the back of the measuring board. 
Note that with most adults, only the buttocks and perhaps the shoulder blades, 
will touch the back of the measuring board (Arrows 5 & 6). 


. Body ina straight line 

. Feet away from back of board (most 
cases) 

. Confirm line of sight 

. Back of head may not touch board 


(most cases) 
. Back of shoulders 
. Buttocks 
. Hands on side 


https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf 


6. Measurer: Check the position of the person. Repeat any steps as necessary. 


7. Measurer: When the person’s position is correct, lower the headpiece on top 
of the head making sure to push through the person’s hair. Read and call out 
the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm. Remove the headpiece from the 
person’s head and escort the person off the height board. 


Note: The tape should be read at eye level. If a respondent is taller than the 
Measurer, the Measurer will need to stand on a chair to read the tape at eye 
level; alternatively, they may need to bend down or kneel if the respondent is 
shorter than the Measurer. 


42 


Measurer: 


Immediately record the measurement on the questionnaire. Record an adult’s 
height measurements in Q. 207/307. If the adult’s height was not measured, 
record the appropriate code in Q. 207/307 and skip to Q. 209/309. 


Measurer: Record in Q. 208/308 whether braided or ornamented hair interfered with the 


measurement. Record ‘YES’ if the hairstyle or ornamented hair could not be 
pushed apart or manipulated to allow the headpiece to rest on the top of the 
head. Record ‘NO’ only if braided or ornamented hair did not interfere with 
the measurement. 


Measurer: Check the recorded measurement on the questionnaire for 
accuracy and legibility. Correct any errors. Enter your fieldworker number in 
Q. 209/309. If there is an Assistant, enter their fieldworker number in Q. 
210/310 or mark 9999 if there is no Assistant. Enter the date of measurement 
in Q. 211/311. 


For length/height measurements, the most frequent causes of errors are: 


Incorrectly positioning the body on the measuring board leading to an invalid 
imaginary line (shoulder to heel) 

Invalid line of sight (ear to lower eye socket) 

Incorrect positioning of the head/footpiece 

Incorrectly reading the measurement and not having ones’ eye perpendicular 
to the measuring tape 

Incorrect recording of length/height on the Biomarker Questionnaire 

The Measurer and Assistant not following the rule of 2 


. Dismantling the measuring board 


. Stand the measuring board upright and step on the base with one foot to 


stabilize it. 
Slide the head/foot piece into the base, “A.” 


Release the clasp on the back of both boards, “B” and “C.” Put the clasp flat 
against both the boards. 


. Stand the base, “A,” and place the back of board “B” against base “A.” This 


should result in the measuring tape on board “B” facing you. 

Make sure all sides, corners and extension pieces are straight and in line with 
each other. Once this is done, push the bolt behind base “A” into board “B” 
and screw it clockwise to secure. 


Take board “C” and place it against board “B” so that the measuring tape on 
board “C” is facing inward to board “B.” 


43 


7. Make sure all sides, corners and extension pieces are straight and in line with 
each other. Once this is done, push the bolt on board “C” into board “B” and 
screw it clockwise to secure. 


8. In this arrangement, board “B” should be in between base “A” and board “C.” 
Board “C” should be facing you without the measuring tape showing. 


3.N. Quality assurance for anthropometry 


Errors in the precision and accuracy of height/length and weight measurements 
affect the validity of the indices derived from these measurements. Two types of 
errors can occur: random and systematic measurement errors. These errors 
commonly arise from inadequate training, instrument error, and improper recording 
of measurements. These errors can be minimized by training personnel to use 
standardized, validated measurement techniques and instruments that are precise, 
accurate, and correctly maintained. 


In the [YEAR] [COUNTRY] DHS, accuracy and precision of height and weight 
measurements will be ensured by regular checking of the accuracy of measuring 
equipment and standardization of biomarker technicians. This process of 
standardization must be completed during training? and prior to main field work. 


Inventory of equipment 
Inventory of equipment is conducted during training and during fieldwork. 
During training, it is important to: 


1. Ensure that all measuring boards are functioning well and are not broken. 
a. All the measuring boards are given a unique identification number. 
b. Check measuring boards for loose screws, loose clamps, cracks, and 
damaged head pieces. 
c. Measure a rod of standard height on each of the boards. For each 
board, record the measurement in a table comparable to the one 
shown below. 


Date: MM/DD/YYYY 


Inventory of NEW Measuring Boards | 


BoardID |Measurement incm [Condition 


2. Ensure that all weighing scales are functioning well and are not broken. 


3 The standardization process should take place during the pretest/training of trainers and 
the main training of the field staff. 
44 


All scales are given a unique identification number. 

Weigh an object of standard weight on the weighing scales. For each 
scale, record weight measurements in the table comparable to the one 
shown below: 


oo 


Date: MM/DD/YYYY 


Inventory of NEW weighing scales 


Measurement in kg Condition 


|| the weighing scales that indicate correct weight are given a unique identification number. 
nly measuring boards and scales that correctly measure the rods and scales will be used during 
fieldwork. 


uring fieldwork, daily checks are required to ensure the accuracy of the measuring boards and 
scales during field work. The check should be done using a rod of known length and 
an object with a constant weight every morning before fieldwork begins. Teams 
should complete the fieldwork equipment maintenance log for the measuring boards 
and scales as shown below. See Appendix C for the complete fieldwork equipment 
maintenance logs for measuring boards and scales. 


JELDWORK DAILY MAINTENANCE LOG - MEASURING BOARD 


Equipment Date Cluster Measurement in Condition/Remarks Not in [Fieldworker] 
ID (DD/MM/YYYY) Number cm 


001 04082020 [1 | 110.1 
001 05082020 | 1 ___—| ast0.4 
oo: 06108200 [1 | 1100 


FIELDWORK DAILY MAINTENANCE LOG - WEIGHING SCALE 


45 


Equipment Date Cluster | Measurement in Condition/Remarks Not in [Fieldworker] 
ID (DD/MM/YYYY) Number number 


04/08/2020 [1 | 480 [rime | 


kg 
1 
05/08/2020 | 1 4.80 
soso |i [aco rine = 


It is ok for there to be some minor fluctuations in the daily measurements. For the 
rods and scales acceptable fluctuations are +/- 0.5 cm and +/- 0.50 kg, 
respectively. 


If equipment is malfunctioning, all height/length and weight measurements should 
stop until the implementing agency provides new equipment. The team supervisor 
should contact the field coordinator immediately and request a replacement. 


Remeasurement of children 

Obtaining accurate height and weight measurements especially for young children 
is difficult. Even small measurement errors can result in invalid data. Special 
procedures that require biomarker technicians to conduct remeasurements of 
specific children before the teams leave the cluster have been put in place to 
improve the data quality. 


Completed Biomarker Questionnaires will be entered into the CAPI system. The 
team supervisor will run a program to identify children who are eligible for 
remeasurement. Children are eligible for remeasurement for two reasons: 


1. Their first height and weight measurements are so extreme that the 
measurements are almost certainly invalid. 

2. They are randomly selected. About 1 in 10 households will have a child 
randomly selected for remeasurement regardless of whether their first 
anthropometry measurement was acceptable. 


The biomarker team will receive a Remeasurement Questionnaire from the team 
supervisor with the name, line number, and date of birth of the child filled in. The 
biomarker team will also receive an informational pamphlet to record the 
remeasurements. The biomarker team must return to the household(s) to 
remeasure eligible child(ren). Only children eligible for remeasurement should have 
their height and weight remeasured, the other children in the household do not 
need to be remeasured. 


The biomarker teams should return the completed Remeasurement Questionnaires 
to the team supervisor for data entry. 


Wasting Referral 


46 


During data collection, children’s’ weight-for-height Z-scores are calculated in CAPI. 
This information is only available in CAPI surveys. The CAPI program will provide 
information on the children who have severe acute malnutrition (a Z-score of less 
than -3 for weight-for-height). The information can be accessed by the survey team 
only after the completion of the children’s height and weight measurements and 
remeasurements. The biomarker technician or the team supervisor should provide 
a severe acute malnutrition referral form to the parent/responsible adult of a child 
identified with severe acute malnutrition. A completed form will contain the name, 
height (cm), weight (kg), and weight-for-height (Z-score) result of the severely 
acute malnourished child (defined as a Z-score of less than -3 for weight-for-height). 
See Appendix B for an example of a severe acute malnutrition referral form. 


The parent/responsible adult should be informed about the effects of severe acute 
malnutrition and instructed to take the child to a local clinic or health center to 
ensure the child receives proper assessment and treatment for severe acute 
malnutrition. The parent/responsible adult should be instructed to take the referral 
form with them when they go to the clinic or health center. 


3.0. Standardization of height and length measurements 


Once all biomarker technicians have adequately practiced the measurement and 
recording techniques, and feel comfortable with their performance, 
standardization exercises must be carried out on children 0-59 months to 
assess the biomarker technicians’ accuracy and precision (Figure 1). 


Accuracy means how close a measured value is to the actual (true) value. In the 
standardization exercise, the true value is the average of two measurements made 
by the trainer (gold standard). The measurer will make two measurements on the 
same children as the trainer and his or her average measurement will be compared 
against the true value to assess accuracy. 


Precision means how close the measured values are to each other. In the 
standardization exercise, the measurer’s two measurements from the same child 
will be compared to each other assess precision. 


The technical error of measurement (TEM) is used to assess the measurers’ 
precision and accuracy across the 10 children. Each measurer must pass the 
standardization exercise on both precision and accuracy. The criteria for passing 
has been established by WHO/UNICEF 
(https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/anthropometry-data-quality-report/en/). 
Height or length measurement acceptable TEM is <0.6 cm for precision and <0.8 
cm for accuracy. The TEM is generated based on the sum of the average 
differences between measurements over total number of children measured. The 
more outliers (in either direction), the greater will be the TEM. 


47 


Fig. 1 Illustration on accuracy and precision 


Low accuracy High accuracy High accuracy 
High precision Low precision High precision 


Procedures for the standardization exercise are provided in Appendix D. 


48 


Chapter 4. CAPILLARY BLOOD COLLECTION 


Learning objectives 


m List supplies for blood collection 

m Determine the site of blood collection for the appropriate age group 

@ List steps involved in obtaining a capillary blood sample from the finger 

m Perform steps involved in obtaining a capillary blood sample from the 
finger 

@ List steps involved in obtaining a capillary blood sample from the heel 

m Apply steps involved in obtaining a capillary blood sample from the heel 

m List best practices and precautions to observe when collecting blood 


4.A. Introduction 


This chapter describes the materials needed for and, the steps involved in, capillary 
blood collection. 


Capillary blood will be collected as part of the survey to test for anemia. Capillary 
blood can be obtained from the palm side of the tip of a finger or from a heel. For 
adults and children age 12 months and older, a finger should be used. For children 
less than age 12 months, the heel should be used. For children who are 
undernourished or skinny a heel puncture is also recommended because the finger 
tissue can be thin, and the lancet may pierce the bone. 


4.B. Materials and supplies for performing finger or heel pricks 


The capillary blood drops collected for biomarker testing will be drawn from a finger 
or heel. The following supplies and materials will be used in performing the finger or 
heel prick. 


Disposable latex gloves: Used to reduce 


the risk of bloodborne diseases. Gloves a 

must be worn by the biomarker technician IS 

and by anyone else who may assist with # a 

the blood collection. ’ ML di 
Jd 


49 


Absorbent paper sheets: The surface 
area where your supplies will be placed 
while you collect the blood. Place the 
plastic/shiny side of the absorbent sheet 
face down (the absorbent side without 
plastic on it should be facing up). 


Alcohol preps: Used for cleaning the skin 
prior to pricking the finger or heel. 


Safety lancets: The lancet is a single-use, 
disposable device used to prick the 
fingertip or heel. The needle is retractable; 
when the trigger is pressed, a surgical 
blade quickly protrudes from the device, 
punctures the skin, and then automatically 
retracts. 


à A 


XN 


N 


A 


NN 
à 


K NO 
N 
N 


50 


Sterile gauze pads: Used to wipe away 
the first drop(s) of blood to stimulate 
capillary blood flow. 


Adhesive bandages: Applied to the 
puncture site to minimize the risk of 
infection. 


Biohazardous waste bags: Plastic bags 
that are provided to hold all the 
biohazardous waste generated during the 
day except sharps. All waste bags are 
labeled with “biohazard” logo. 


Sharps containers: All biohazardous 
sharps that have pointed tips such as 
lancets and microcuvettes, [as well as 
capillary blood collection devices. ] 


51 


4.C. 


How to put on gloves 


Donning (putting on gloves) 


L: 


Measure your hand using the glove-sizing chart before choosing a glove to 
reduce the potential for tearing. 

If possible, thoroughly wash hands before donning gloves and after each 
glove change. 

Open glove at the cuff and extend opposite hand until thumb crotch is to the 
cuff of the glove. 


. Once the hand is properly aligned in the glove, move your fingers down into 


the glove's fingers. 


. Roll the cuff of the glove down the wrist until the glove is secure. 
. Replace gloves frequently, including whenever changing tasks. 


Doffing (taking off gloves) 


1, 


4. 


4.D. 


Pull the glove from above the cuff up on the hand inside out to trap potential 
contaminants inside the used glove. 

Place the used glove into the palm of the opposite hand (which remains 
gloved). 

Repeat step 1 on the opposite hand, trapping the first glove inside the 
second. 

Discard gloves and wash hands. 


Steps in obtaining capillary blood from the finger 


The following steps describe how to obtain a capillary blood drop sample from the 
finger. They apply to the collection of samples from adults and children age 12 
months and older. Remember, the informed consent statement must be read, and 
consent must be granted, for each eligible adult respondent or parent/guardian of 
each eligible child before blood collection. 


Preparing the session 


L: 


If possible, find an indoor site to encourage privacy. The site should have a 
table or other furniture with a flat surface where you can lay out the supplies. 
A couch, bed, or mat should be readily available if the respondent feels faint 
and needs to lie down. If you must do the testing outdoors, find a site in the 
full shade and away from rain, dust, and other environmental elements that 
might affect the sample. 

Describe to the respondent exactly what will be done during blood 
collection. For children, describe to the parent or responsible adult 
exactly what will be done during the collection of the blood sample and 
how they can assist by holding the child on their lap and holding the child’s 
hand during the collection of the sample. 


52 


3. When collecting blood from a child, note that the child may be fearful or 
anxious about what is going to happen. Therefore, using a calm and 
reassuring manner is important as you begin to collect the blood sample. 
Remember that nonverbal communication is important, so maintain eye 
contact with the child as you prepare to take the sample. Encourage the 
parent/responsible adult to hold the child on his or her lap and place the 
child’s legs in between his or hers so that the child does not kick the table 
and place his or her arms around the child. 


Figure 3-1. How a parent should hold a child for a finger prick. 


1. Put on gloves before beginning the 
collection of the blood sample from the first 
respondent. 


2. Kneel on the side of the respondent 
opposite to the hand/heel from which 
you will collect blood. For example, if 
you want to collect the sample from the left 
hand, place yourself to the right side of the 
respondent. Do not sit on a chair. 


53 


3. Use the third or fourth finger for 
collecting blood. Do not use a finger with 
a scar, a wound or cut, swelling, a 
deformity, a rash, or an infection. Also do 
not use a finger on which the respondent is 
wearing a ring, because the ring may 
disrupt the free flow of blood to the tip of 
the finger. You can ask the respondent to 
remove the ring. 


Puncture sites 


4. Ask the adult respondent to briskly 
rub his/her hands together to warm 
the fingers. 


For children, ask the parent/responsible adult to 
warm the child’s hand by briskly rubbing 
the child’s fingers in between their palms. 


5. Set up your station: 


Take out a clean absorbent paper sheet 
and spread the shiny side down over a 
flat surface where you will lay out your 
supplies. 

Open the sterile gauze package. 
Separate the two pieces of gauze and 
lay them down on the package so they 
do not touch the absorbent pad. 

Open the outer package of the adhesive 


bandage. Place the bandage on the 


packaging. 
package. 
Remove the blade slot cover of the 
lancet. Prepare the lancet for use. 
Simply twist the blade slot cover 360° 
until the cover comes out. Do not 
remove the blade slot cover from the 
lancet other than as instructed here, as 
this may damage the lancet and cause it 
to malfunction. 


Open the alcohol prep 


54 


6. With an alcohol prep pad, clean the 
skin of the finger or heel thoroughly. If 
the skin is dirty, use a second pad. Clean 
the finger before pricking. 


7. Allow the finger or heel to air dry 
completely. Do not blow on the area to 
dry the alcohol. Blowing may allow 
bacteria to contaminate the site. Allow the 
alcohol to air dry. If the finger is not 
properly dry, you run the risk of mixing 
alcohol with the blood. It takes 15-20 
seconds for the alcohol to dry. If the alcohol 
used to clean the puncture site mixes with 
the blood, it can cause hemolysis of the 
sample leading to errors in the test results. 


8. Position the hand palm side facing up. 
Form a pad with your index and middle 
finger behind the base of the respondent’s 
middle finger and your thumb in front of the 
respondent’s finger. 


55 


9. Using a rolling movement of your 
thumb, push blood from the base of 
the finger to the tip. This action will 
stimulate a flow of blood to the fingertip. 


For children, it may be helpful if the parent or 
responsible adult assists you by holding the 
child’s hand. 


Note: Never “milk” the finger. Milking is excessive massaging or squeezing 
of the finger, which will cause tissue juice to mix with and dilute the blood. 
This will result in erroneous test results, specifically, a lower Hb 
concentration. Instead, the biomarker technician should employ only mild 
pressure by using the thumb and the index and middle fingers to support the 
base of the finger. 


Figure 3-2. How to hold the finger for a finger prick. 


Biomarker 
Tech’s Thumb 


Biomarker 
Tech’s Index 
and Middle 

Finger 


This position will make the connective tissue underlying the skin more porous 
and allow the capillary blood to flow easily after the incision. 


56 


10.Place the lancet firmly against the skin 
with the trigger facing up, so that the 
arrow on the lancet is visible and pointing 
towards the prick site. Use the lancet to 
prick the skin by placing the blade-slot 
surface against the area and pressing the 
trigger. (The tip of the blade ejects through 
the blade slot, producing a micro-incision in 
the skin, and immediately retracts into the 
device.) After pricking the skin, drop the 
used lancet into the Sharps container. 


Note: Avoid placing the lancet on the very tip of the finger or the sides beyond the 
palmar area or you will risk piercing the underlying bone. You can first place and 
press the lancet into the finger without pushing the trigger. The lancet is equipped 
with “teeth” that will indent the skin to demonstrate where the puncture will occur. 
Re-adjust the placement of the lancet if needed. Using the arrow on the lancet, be 
sure to pierce the skin perpendicular and not parallel to the fingerprint pattern. 
Pricking the finger perpendicular to the fingerprint pattern will allow the blood drop 
to form on the surface of the finger and not drip down the side. 


Figure 3-3. How a position the lancet to prick the finger. 


Orientation Arrow 


57 


11.When your thumb reaches the fingertip, 
maintain a gentle pressure to trap the 
blood in the fingertip. 


12.When the blood appears, use a sterile 
gauze pad to wipe away the first and 
second blood drops. Collect the third 
blood drop for anemia testing. 


13.When blood collection is completed, 
apply a piece of sterile gauze at the 
prick site to stop the blood flow. 


58 


14.Apply an adhesive bandage to the 
prick site. 


15.Discard all materials used in the blood 
collection procedure in a labeled 
biohazardous waste bag. 


4.E. Obtaining capillary blood from a child’s heel 

The heel is the puncture site for children age 6 - 11 months, or malnourished 
(skinny) children whose fingers are very thin. A lancet that punctures to a depth of 
1.8 - 2.0 mm will be used to puncture the heel. The following describes the steps 
that are involved in obtaining a capillary blood drop from the heel. 


59 


1. Prepare to prick outside an imaginary line 
drawn from the middle of the big toe to the 
heel or outside an imaginary line drawn 
from the area between the fourth and fifth 
toes to the heel. Take care to avoid the 
central area of the foot (to avoid injury to 
the nerves and tendons) or the center of 
the heel (to avoid piercing the heel bone). 


Ÿ Do not 
\prick here 
\ 


2. Hold the heel firmly. Apply moderate 
pressure near the puncture site by 
wrapping the heel using your thumb and 
second finger. 


3. Clean the site with an alcohol prep. 
Make sure the site is dry before puncturing 
the skin with the lancet. In selecting a 
puncture site, avoid any areas of the skin 
that are broken or infected. 


4. Place the blade-slot surface against 
the skin and press the trigger. Ensure 
the free flow of blood. 


5. When the blood appears, use a sterile 
gauze pad to wipe away the first two 
drops of blood, use the third drop for 
anemia testing. 


60 


6. Apply an adhesive bandage to the 
prick site. 


7. Discard all materials used in the blood 
collection procedure in a labeled 
biohazardous waste bag. 


4.F. Precautions to observe when collecting blood samples“ 


This section describes the universal (general) precautions to be followed during 
blood collection.” You should take precautions when collecting blood to prevent 
exposure to blood borne infections such as hepatitis B or HIV. Follow the steps 
below to ensure protection against blood borne infections. 


m@ If you must prick a second time, do not prick the same finger or heel. 


m@ Do not use the same pair of gloves for more than one respondent. 
If you have worked with one respondent and your gloves do not appear 
soiled, you must still discard them and put on a fresh pair of gloves when 
working with a different respondent. It is also possible that you use more 
than one pair of gloves when working with just one respondent if the 
gloves become heavily soiled. 


m Keep intermittent pressure on the finger or heel during the blood 
collection process. 


m Do not milk the finger: milking the finger may cause the interstitial fluid 
to mix with blood and dilute the blood sample giving false results. Also, if 
a large volume of tissue fluid mixes with the blood, the sample will be like 
a plasma sample instead of a whole blood sample. 


4 Adapted from National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) 1997 
> For the universal precautions regarding bloodborne pathogens, see the U.S. Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA) standards for protection from exposure to bloodborne pathogen. 

61 


If your gloves are soiled with blood, complete the blood collection 
process and change them immediately once you have finished with that 
respondent. 


Wear latex gloves. Gloves help to prevent skin and mucous-membrane 
exposure to blood. Gloves should be worn during blood collection, until the 
specimen(s) from a respondent is collected and all waste materials 
produced during the collection are disposed. At that point, the used gloves 
should be treated as biohazardous waste. A new pair of latex gloves should 
be used with each respondent. Gloves must never be re-used! 


Avoid penetrating injuries. Although gloves can prevent blood 
contamination of intact and non-intact skin surfaces, they cannot prevent 
penetrating injuries caused by the instruments used for finger or heel 
pricks. Safety lancet devices reduce the risk of penetrating injuries. 


Do not use lancets for purposes other than a single finger or heel 
prick to collect blood for the biomarker testing. The lancets should not be 
broken or destroyed for curiosity or other purposes. After the device is 
used, it should be placed in a puncture-resistant sharps container. 


Wash contaminated areas. If an accident occurs, any skin surfaces or 
mucous membranes that become contaminated with blood, should be 
immediately and thoroughly washed with running water or a large quantify 
of water from a bucket or basin. 


Never eat or drink during the testing. Eating or drinking while 
collecting blood samples may result in contaminating yourself and is 
prohibited during the blood collection and testing procedures. 


Properly dispose of all biohazardous materials. All materials coming 
in contact with blood must be placed in a biohazardous waste container 
after use and disposed of according to the survey’s policy on infectious 
waste disposal. Take precautions when storing and transporting the waste 
during the fieldwork. 


Good blood collection practices 


Good position in relation to the respondent. Position yourself well 
before you make a puncture on the respondent’s finger or a child’s heel, such 
as kneeling below the respondent’s heart level. 

Do not prick the finger or heel if it is cold! Warm the hands by asking 
the adult to rub his/her hands together. For children, ask the 
parent/responsible adult to rub the child’s hand or heel vigorously to warm 
the prick site. 

Never “milk” the finger. Excessive massaging or squeezing of the finger or 
foot will cause tissue juice to mix with and dilute the blood. 


62 


Never mix alcohol with the blood. If the alcohol used to clean the 
puncture site mixes with the blood, it can cause hemolysis of the sample 
leading to errors in the testing results. To avoid this problem, the finger or 
heel must be air dried completely before being punctured. 

Avoid obstructing blood flow. It is important to hold the finger properly to 
allow the accumulation of blood at the puncture site. Holding the finger too 
tightly can obstruct blood flow to the finger. 

Push lancet in firmly to avoid shallow punctures. A deep puncture 
should be made for better blood flow and to have a representative 
concentration of red blood cells. 

Dispose of biohazard materials as they are used. Keep the biohazard 
bag and sharps container open during blood collection and drop each 
disposable item in the appropriate container as you finish using it. 

If blood flow stops before all biomarkers are collected/tested, lay out all new 
supplies to make a second prick. 

NEVER leave behind or give biohazardous waste to respondents or 
parents/responsible adults, even if they request it. 


63 


Chapter 5. HEMOGLOBIN MEASUREMENT (ANEMIA 
SCREENING) 


Learning objectives 


e Define anemia and its causes 

e List supplies for measuring hemoglobin (Hb) 

e List steps for anemia testing among children 

e Demonstrate proper use and care of the HemoCue Hb analyzer 

e List precautions in measuring Hb 

e List steps in providing test results and anemia information for adults 
and children 


5.A. Introduction 


Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (Hb), an iron-rich protein that binds oxygen in 
the lungs and carries it to tissues and organs throughout the body. Anemia is 
defined as a reduction in the normal number of red blood cells or a decrease in the 
concentration of Hb in the blood. During the [COUNTRY] DHS, we will measure the 
amount of Hb in a respondent’s blood. Respondents who have an Hb level below a 
defined cut-off will be classified as anemic. 


Symptoms of anemia range include fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath and 
heart problems. During the [COUNTRY] DHS, we will measure the 
amount of Hb in the blood of men, women and children. Any 
respondent with an Hb level below 8.0 g/dL will be classified as 
severely anemic. Hemoglobin testing in the [COUNTRY] DHS will be 
performed using a HemoCue analyzer (Hb 201+). This widely used 
system measures Hb concentration from a drop of capillary blood 
obtained from a finger or heel prick. The test is rapid, allowing results 
to be reported to the adult respondent or parent/responsible adult of 
children and adolescents immediately following the testing procedure. 
Respondents found to have severe anemia will be referred to a health 
facility for treatment. 


This chapter discusses the materials needed and the procedure for hemoglobin 
testing. In addition, guidelines regarding precautions to take during 
collection and testing, recording results in the Biomarker 
Questionnaire, and providing test results and anemia information to 
households are outlined. 


5.B. Overview of anemia 
Common causes of anemia include: 


64 


e Iron deficiency from inadequate intake of foods containing iron, such as 
red meat. 

e Intake of foods that contain non-bioavailable iron such as iron 
compounds that have been used for fortification of food. 

e Malaria and other parasitic infections (for example, schistosomiasis; 
hookworm). 

e Blood disorders (for example, sickle cell anemia; thalassemia). 


Anemia is a common and significant global health problem. Consequences of 
anemia include an increased risk of maternal and child mortality, impaired cognitive 
development in children, and increased numbers of pre-term and low birth weight 
babies. 


The measurement of Hb is the primary method of screening for anemia. Hb 
measurement in the DHS provides an opportunity to: 


e Estimate the prevalence of anemia in a nationally representative 
sample. 

e Link the levels of anemia with demographic data so as to examine the 
socioeconomic, residential, and demographic differences in the 
prevalence of anemia among populations. 

e Design programs to prevent iron-deficiency anemia among the 
populations most in need of intervention (for example, iron 
supplementation programs for young children living in rural districts). 


5.C. Materials and supplies for Hb measurement 


In addition to the Biomarker Questionnaire and supplies listed in Chapter 3, the 
following equipment and supplies are required for hemoglobin measurement: 


Microcuvette: 


a plastic disposable unit that 

serves as both a reagent vessel @ 
and a measuring device. The tip 

of the microcuvette contains a 

dry, yellow reagent (sodium 

azide). The microcuvette is 

designed to draw up the exact 

amount of blood needed for the 

test. 


65 


HemoCue Hb 201 + analyzer: 


a device that uses the absorption 
of light to measure the 
hemoglobin concentration of a 
single drop of blood collected in a 
microcuvette. Test results are 
presented on the analyzer’s 
display. 


HemoCue Optronic Cleaning 
Swab: 


a cleaning swab used 1-2 times a 

week to clean the optronic unit in 

the HemoCue analyzer. Swabs ee] 
are designed to absorb blood 

without smearing it. 


Two paper handouts are available to parents/responsible adults: 


1. Informational pamphlet: a one-page document listing the causes of 
anemia, ways to prevent anemia and a record of household results for 
anemia and anthropometry measurements. See Appendix A for an example 
of an informational pamphlet. 


2. Anemia referral form for severely anemic respondents: A completed 
form will contain the name and Hb result of the severely anemic respondent 
(defined as an Hb level below 8.0 g/dL) and should be given to the adult 
respondent or a child/adolescent’s parent/responsible adult. The respondent 
should take the referral to a local clinic or health center to ensure he/she 
receives proper treatment for severe anemia. See Appendix E for an 
example of a severe anemia referral form. 


5.D. Handling and storage of the HemoCue Hb 201+ analyzer 


licrocuvettes: 


though the HemoCue analyzer has proven to be durable and reliable under field conditions, 
there are some technical limitations related to the fact that microcuvettes are 
sensitive to humidity. Follow these instructions for the proper handling and storage 
of microcuvettes. 


1. Always check the printed expiration date on the side of the container of 
microcuvettes before using or opening a new container. If the container is 


66 


expired, throw the microcuvettes away in the Sharps bin and open a new 
container. 


2. Keep the microcuvette container at room temperature and avoid exposing 
the container to heat or strong sunlight. 


3. Record on the microcuvette container the date it was first opened. 


4. Remove only one microcuvette at a time from the container; use it 
immediately. 


5. Remove the microcuvette by holding the side opposite the tip. 


6. After taking a microcuvette out of the container, immediately snap the 
container lid back on tightly. 


nder these conditions, the microcuvettes can be stored for up to 3 months (90 days) after 
opening. HOWEVER, under field conditions, it is advisable to store the 
microcuvettes in the opened container for no more than one month (30 days). 
Microcuvettes from unopened containers can be used up to the expiration date on 
the container. 


he HemoCue Analyzer: 


> ensure the HemoCue Hb 201+ system operates properly, allow the analyzer to come to the 
ambient temperature and protect it from direct sunlight. The device operates 
optimally between 18 and 30° C. The photometer has an internal electronic 
“SELFTEST”; every time the analyzer is turned on, it automatically verifies the 
performance of its optronic unit. 


1e analyzer’s black microcuvette holder has three operating positions: 1) pushed in, for 
measuring; 2) pulled out until “clicked,” for placing the microcuvette; 3) completely 
withdrawn for cleaning. 


5.E. Determine eligibility and obtain informed consent for Hb 
measurement 


Children: Follow the steps below for anemia testing of eligible children 6-59 
months. 


You must first verify the eligibility of the child for anemia testing. To do so, follow 
the steps in the questionnaire starting at Q. 117. 


Q. 117: CHECK 103: IS THE CHILD AGE 0-5 MONTHS OR IS THE CHILD OLDER? 
Children age 0-5 months (i.e., <6 months), are not eligible for blood collection and 


67 


are therefore not eligible for either anemia testing. 


Q. 118: RECORD NAME OF PARENT/RESPONSIBLE ADULT FOR THE CHILD. 
This person will be asked for their informed consent to anemia testing for that child. 
Do not enter any information into the boxes labeled LINE NUMBER. 


Q. 119: ASK CONSENT FOR ANEMIA TESTS FROM PARENT/RESPONSIBLE ADULT. 


Process of obtaining informed consent for children: 
Process 
Obtain the consent of one of the child’s parents, or, in the 
absence of a parent, the consent of a responsible adult who is at 


least 18 years of age. If the parent or responsible adult does not 
consent to the test, do not perform the test. 


Q. 120: CIRCLE THE CODE. 

After reading the consent statement, record the parent/responsible adult’s response 
to the request to allow the child to participate in the testing. If the 
parent/responsible adult agrees, circle ‘1’ (GRANTED). If the parent/responsible 
adult refuses to allow the child to participate in the testing, circle ‘2,’ 
(REFUSED) and skip to Q. 122. 


. 121: SIGN NAME AND ENTER [FIELDWORKER] NUMBER OF HEMOGLOBIN 
MEASURER. 
At this point, set up your station and proceed with the anemia testing. 


Adolescents: Follow the steps below for anemia testing of an eligible adolescent 
age 15-17 years. 


Example taken from the women’s section of the Biomarker Questionnaire; the 
procedures are the same for adolescent males. 


Q. 212: CHECK 203: 
Since the respondent is age 15-17, put an X in the box ‘AGE 15-17 YEARS.’ 


Q. 213: CHECK 204: 
Since the respondent has never been in a union, put an X in the box ‘CODE 4 
(NEVER IN UNION)’ and skip to Q. 217. 


_217: RECORD LINE NUMBER AND NAME OF THE PARENT/OTHER ADULT 
RESPONSIBLE FOR ADOLESCENT. 
This person will be asked for their informed consent to anemia testing for 
that adolescent. 


Q. 218: ASK CONSENT FOR ANEMIA TEST FROM PARENT/RESPONSIBLE ADULT: 
Read the informed consent statement to the parent/responsible adult. 


Q. 219: CIRCLE THE CODE. 
If the parent/other adult responsible agrees, circle ‘1’ (GRANTED). If he/she refuses 
to allow adolescent to participate in the testing, circle ‘2,’ (REFUSED). If the 


68 


parent/other adult responsible for the adolescent is not present/other, circle ‘3’ and 
skip to Q. 225. 


Q. 220: SIGN NAME AND ENTER [FIELDWORKER] NUMBER OF HEMOGLOBIN 
MEASURER. 
Sign your name and entering your fieldworker number in the space provided. 


Q. 221: CHECK 219: 

Check Q. 219, if consent was granted to have the adolescent tested, put an X in box 
‘CONSENT GRANTED.’ If consent was not granted, put an X in box ‘CONSENT 
REFUSED’ and skip to Q. 225. 


Q. 222: ASK ASSENT FOR ANEMIA TEST FROM ADOLESCENT RESPONDENT. 
Read the informed consent statement to adolescent respondent. 


Q. 223: CIRCLE THE CODE. 

If the adolescent agrees, circle ‘1’ (GRANTED). If she refuses to participate in the 
testing, circle ‘2,’ (REFUSED). If the adolescent refuses anemia testing, the test 
cannot be performed. If the adolescent is not present/other, circle ‘3’ and skip to Q. 
225; 


Q. 224: SIGN NAME AND ENTER [FIELDWORKER] NUMBER OF HEMOGLOBIN 
MEASURER. 
Sign your name and entering your fieldworker number. 


Adults: Follow the steps below for anemia testing of an eligible adult age 18-[49] 
years. 


Example taken from women section of the Biomarker Questionnaire; the procedures 
are the same for men. 


Q. 212: CHECK 203: 
Since the respondent is age 18-49, put an X in the box ‘AGE 18-49 YEARS.’ 


Q. 214: ASK CONSENT FOR ANEMIA TEST. 
Read the following informed consent statement to the adult woman and allow for 
questions. 


Q. 215: CIRCLE THE CODE. 

If the adult respondent agrees, circle ‘1’ (GRANTED). If she refuses to participate in 
the testing, circle ‘2,’ (REFUSED). If the woman is not present/other, circle ‘3’ and 
skip to Q. 225. 


Q. 216: SIGN NAME AND ENTER [FIELDWORKER] NUMBER OF HEMOGLOBIN 
MEASURER. 

Sign your name and entering your fieldworker number in the space provided. Skip 
to Q. 225. 


69 


5.F. Steps in performing the Hb measurement 


Prepare the supplies following 
instructions in Chapter 3, prepare 
blood collection supplies. Take 
one microcuvette from the 
container and close the container 
tightly. Place the microcuvette on 
top of the analyzer. 


Pull out the microcuvette holder 
to the “load” position 


Press and hold the blue on/off 
button until the display is 
activated. After 10 seconds, the 
display will show “READY” and - - 
-. This indicates the analyzer is 
ready for use. 


If consent was granted, collect a 
blood sample from the 
respondent’s finger or heel (for 
children 6-11 months) following 
the procedure described in 
Chapter 3. Use a sterile gauze 
pad to wipe away the FIRST 
large blood drop from the 
finger or the heel. Use the 
SECOND large blood drop for 
[additional biomarkers]. 


Continue to apply light 
pressure to the finger until 
the THIRD drop of blood 
appears. When the blood drop is 
large enough, fill the microcuvette 
in one continuous process. Check 
to make sure that the yellow area 
of the microcuvette is completely 


70 


filled. DO NOT “top-off” or refill 
the microcuvette. DO NOT let 
the microcuvette touch the skin. 


Wipe any surplus blood off 
both sides of the microcuvette 
“like butter from a knife,” using 
the clean end of a sterile gauze 
pad. Ensure that no blood is 
sucked out of the microcuvette 
when wiping it. Do not let the tip 
of the filled microcuvette touch 
the gauze. 


Visually inspect the 
microcuvette for air bubbles 
or improper filling. Since air 
bubbles may influence the 
hemoglobin measurement, any 
microcuvette containing air 
bubbles must be discarded. In 
such cases, obtain permission 
from the adult or adolescent 
respondent or the 
parent/responsible adult of a child 
to repeat the test using a different 
finger or heel if the blood has 
clotted. You must use new 
disposable supplies and follow all 
the steps described previously in 
obtaining the new sample. 

Always use a new finger or 
different heel if repeating the test! 


8. Place the microcuvette in its 
holder and gently close the 
holder. 


Note: If the three dashed lines - - - 
disappear, simply press the on/off 
button and they will reappear. The 
analyzer is then ready to perform the 
Hb measurement. 


9. After the blood drop collection, 
wipe any remaining blood 
from the prick site with a 
sterile gauze pad. Press the 
gauze pad against the prick site 
until the blood flow has stopped 
completely. 


10. Apply an adhesive bandage to 
the prick site. For children, 
advise the parent or responsible 
adult, especially when the child is 
a toddler, to carefully watch that 
the child does not take off the 
bandage and put it in his/her 
mouth as the child may choke on 
it. 


11. Read the Hb result. The 
microcuvette should be analyzed 
immediately, and no later than 
ten minutes after being filled. The 
blood hemoglobin level in grams 
per deciliter (g/dl) is displayed 15 
to 45 seconds after the drawer is 
closed. 


72 


Note: HemoCue values rarely fall below 
4 g/dL and cannot exceed 25.6 g/dL. 


12. Remove one glove to record the hemoglobin level as shown on the 
HemoCue analyzer in the appropriate box in the Biomarker 
Questionnaire and on the anthropometry and anemia pamphlet. If 
there is no value to record because the respondent was not present, the 
parent/responsible adult refused to consent to the test, or there was some 
other problem, record the appropriate code. 


13. Using your gloved hand, take 
out the microcuvette and put 
it in the Sharps container. 
Gather up all the other used 
testing materials and your gloves 
and put them in a labeled 
biohazardous waste bag. 


Note: Throughout the entire collection 
process, biohazardous waste should 
have been disposed of immediately into 
either a biohazardous waste bag or 
Sharps container. Never leave 
biohazardous waste on the absorbent 
pad to dispose of after the blood 
collection and hemoglobin reading are 
recorded! 


14. Give the informational 
pamphlet to the adult or 
parent/responsible adult. 
Inform him/her of the result and 
provide him/her with the 
informational pamphlet. When 
reporting the result, briefly 
explain what the Hb reading 
means, using the informational 
pamphlet as a guide. 


73 


15. Provide a written referral to any respondent with severe anemia, 
defined as an Hb level below 8 g/dL. Inform the adult or the 
parent/responsible adult of children and adolescents about the effects of 
severe anemia. Record the Hb measurement on a Severe Anemia Referral 
form and encourage the respondent to seek follow-up medical attention. 


5.G. Precautions to take during Hb measurement 


Please take the following precautions while doing hemoglobin measurement: 


If you must prick a respondent a second time, do not prick the same finger or heel. 

Keep intermittent pressure on the finger or heel during the blood collection process. 

Do not milk the finger: milking the finger may cause the interstitial fluid to mix with 
blood and dilute the blood sample giving false results. Also, if a large volume 
of tissue fluid mixes with the blood, the sample will be like a plasma sample 
instead of a whole blood sample. 

If your gloves are soiled with blood, complete the blood collection process and 
change them immediately once you have finished with that respondent. 
Never remove a microcuvette from the container with fingers wet with 
alcohol. This can result in alcohol coming into contact with the reagents 
inside the microcuvette and destroying them. Using fingers wet with alcohol 

to handle other microcuvettes in the container can also affect them. 

Never use the first two drops of blood for hemoglobin testing. [Wipe away 
the first blood drop, use the second for [biomarker]]. Always use the third 
blood drop for anemia testing. This ensures the free flow of blood and allows 
for the collection of blood with a representative concentration of red blood 
cells. 

Avoid inadequate filling or re-filling of the microcuvette. The chamber of the 
microcuvette that contains dry reagents (yellow portion) has to be completely 
filled. The microcuvette should be filled with a drop of blood in one 
continuous motion. A microcuvette that contains air bubbles should be 
discarded. 

Avoid getting blood on the outside of the microcuvette. Blood on the exterior 
of the microcuvette should be removed; failure to clean the exterior of the 
microcuvette can lead to an erroneously high hemoglobin reading. 

Avoid keeping the microcuvette out for too long. Keeping the microcuvette 
out of the container for too long before using it can lead to errors. Remove 
the microcuvettes from its container immediately before starting the testing 
procedure. 

Avoid misalignment of the microcuvette in the HemoCue analyzer. The 
microcuvette only fits into the photometer’s microcuvette holder in one 
position. Therefore, place it carefully in the holder and slowly push the holder 
inside the photometer to obtain a reading. Slamming the microcuvette holder 


74 


can cause blood to spray onto the optronic system, an action that can 


damage the photometer. 


Do not use any microcuvette from a container that has been opened for 
more than 30 days or improperly stored microcuvettes for testing. 
While in the field, microcuvettes should not be used if more than 1 month has 
elapsed since the seal on the container was broken. The containers must be 
kept closed when not in use to avoid exposure to moisture, which can destroy 


5.H. Cleaning the HemoCue Hb analyzer 


After each day of field work, clean the microcuvette holder. 


the reagents. 


An alcohol swab or 


cotton wool/cotton tipped swab moistened with 70% ethanol or isopropanol can be 


used to clean the microcuvette holder. 


microcuvette holder: 


Follow these procedures to clean the 


1. 


Check that the analyzer is turned off 
and the display window is blank. 


. Pull the microcuvette holder out of 


its loading position. Carefully press 
the small catch positioned in the 
upper right corner of the 
microcuvette holder. 


While pressing the catch, carefully 
rotate the microcuvette holder 
towards the left as far as possible. 
Carefully pull the microcuvette 
holder away from the analyzer. 


Clean the microcuvette holder with 
an alcohol swab or cotton wool 
moistened with 70% alcohol 
(ethanol or isopropyl alcohol). It is 
important that the microcuvette 
holder is completely dry prior to 
reinserting it in the photometer. 


75 


5. Once or twice per week, clean the 
optronic unit with the HemoCue 
cleaning swab provided by pushing 
the swab into the opening of the 
microcuvette holder. The 
microcuvette holder should still be 
removed. Move the cleaner from 
side to side 5-10 times. If the swab 
is stained (blood or dirt), repeat the 
cleaning procedure with a new 
swab. Do not clean the optronic unit 
with 70% alcohol. It is important 
that the microcuvette holder is 
completely dry prior to reinserting it 
in the analyzer. 


6. Wait 15 minutes before reassembling the draw to the HemoCue analyzer. 


Note: The optronic unit of the HemoCue analyzer should be cleaned 1-2 times a 
week with a HemoCue cleaning swab. Blood may get on the optronic system if 
you do not wipe the outside of the microcuvette before placing the microcuvette 
in the holder. If this happens, you will get an error message (E01-E05; E09-E30). 
Clean the HemoCue analyzer as described above when you get one of these error 
messages. A complete list of error codes is provided at the end of this chapter. 


76 


5.1. 


HemoCue analyzer error codes 


Symptom Explanation Action 
The analyzer shows an error code. | May be a temporary fault Turn off the analyzer and turn it on again after 30 seconds. 
Take a new microcuvette and repeat the measurement. 
If the problem continues, see specific error code below. 
E00 No stable endpoint is found within the time range. 1a. Check the expiration date for the microcuvettes. 
1. The cuvette is faulty. 1b. Take a new microcuvette and repeat the measurement. 
2. The circuit board is out of order. 2. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
E01-E05 1. Dirty optronic unit or faulty electronic or optronic 1a. Turn off the analyzer and clean the optronic unit 
unit as descriped in the maintance section. 
1b. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
E06 1. Unstable blank value The analyzer might be cold. 1. Turn off the analyzer and allow it to reach room 
temperature. If the problem continues, the analyzer 
needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
E07 1. The battery power is too low. 1a. The batteries need to be replaced. Turn off the analyzer 
and replace the batteries, 4 type AA. 
1b. Use the power adapter. 
E08 The absorbance is too high. 1a. Check that the analyzer and microcuvettes are being 
1. An item is blocking the light in the cuvette holder. used according to the HemoCue Hb 201+ operating 
manual and instructions for use. 
1b. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
E09-E30 1. Dirty optronic unit or faulty electronic or optronic 1a. Turn off the analyzer and clean the optronic unit 
unit as described in the maintance section. 
1b. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
Symptom Explanation Action 
HHH 1. Measured value exceeds 25.6 g/dL (256 g/L, 15.9 mmol/L) 
No characters on the display 1. The analyzer is not receiving power. 1a. Check that the power adapter is connected to the 


N 


. If on battery power, the batteries need to be replaced. 
3. The display is out of order. 


AC power supply. 

1b. Check that the power adapter is securely connected 
to the analyzer. 

1c. Check that the cable is not damaged. 

2. Turn off the analyzer and replace the batteries, 
4 type AA. 

3. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 


The display gives erroneous 
characters. 


1. The display is out of order. 
2. The microprocessor is out of order. 


1. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
2. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 


The display shows “<—=". 1. The batteries need to be replaced. 1. Turn off the analyzer and replace the batteries, 
2. If on AC power, the power adapter or the circuit 4 type AA. 
board is out of order. 2a. Check that the power adapter is properly connected 
and working. 
2b. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
The display does not switch from | 1. The magnet in the cuvette holder may be missing. 1. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
“g"and “Hb” to three flashing 2. The magnetic sensor is out of order. 2. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 
dashes and “ ® “(ready for 
measuring). 


77 


Symptom 


Explanation 


Action 


Measurements on control 
materials are out of range - 


either too HIGH or too LOW. 


É 


on 


The microcuvettes are beyond their expiration date, 
damaged or have been improperly stored. 


. The optical eye of the microcuvette is contaminated. 
. The control has not been mixed properly and/or is not 


at room temperature. 


. Air bubbles in the microcuvette 


The optronic unit is dirty. 


. The control is not suitable for use with the HemoCue 


Hb 201+ system. 


. The calibration of the analyzer has been changed. 
. The controls are beyond their expiration dates or have 


been improperly stored. 


CA 


2. 
3. Make sure that the control is mixed properly and at 


Check the expiration date and the storage conditions 
of the microcuvettes. 
Remeasure the sample with a new microcuvette. 


room temperature. 


. Check the microcuvette for air bubbles. Remeasure the 


sample with a new microcuvette. 


. Clean the optronic unit as described in the maintance 


section. 


. Only use controls intended for the HemoCue Hb 201+ 
system. Contact HemoCue, Inc. for control information. 
. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 

. Check the expiration date and the storage conditions 


of the control. Take a new microcuvette and repeat 
the measurement from a new vial/bottle of control. 


Measurements on patient 
samples are higher or lower 
than anticipated. 


. Improper sampling technique 


2. The microcuvettes are beyond their expiration date, 


nus w 


damaged or have been improperly stored. 
The optical eye of the microcuvette is contaminated. 


. Air bubbles in the microcuvette 


The optronic unit is dirty. 


. The calibration of the analyzer has changed. 


. See pages 8-17 in this manual. 
. Check the expiration date and the storage conditions 


of the microcuvettes. Check the entire system with a 
commercial control. 


. Remeasure the sample with a new microcuvette. 
. Check the microcuvette for air bubbles. Remeasure the 


sample with a new microcuvette. 


. Clean the optronic unit as described in the maintance 


section. 


. The analyzer needs service. Contact HemoCue, Inc. 


78 


Chapter 6. BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL 


Learning objectives 


m Define biohazardous waste 

Define biohazardous waste disposal 

How to collect and store biohazardous waste during training and fieldwork 
Procedures for field disposal of biohazardous waste 


Methods of destroying biohazardous waste 
6.A. Introduction 


Any material that has come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids such as 
lancets, microcuvettes, alcohol swabs, gauze, and gloves are considered to be 
biohazardous waste (hazardous to other humans). Safe disposal of such material 
(biohazardous waste disposal) is crucial to prevent the transmission and spread of 
various bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis B and HIV, among survey personnel 
and survey respondents. Biohazardous waste must be collected in biohazardous 
waste bags or sharps containers immediately following blood collection and testing, 
securely stored and transported, and safely disposed of prior to leaving a cluster. 
Both biohazardous waste bags and sharps containers have a special logo warning 
about biohazardous content. Sharps containers should be securely closed for safe 
storage and transportation of used sharp materials. 


6.B. Collecting and storing waste during trainings and fieldwork 


During training and while in the field/during data collection, all soiled (containing 
blood) biomarker supplies (for example: absorbent sheets, gloves, gauze, etc.), and 
their packaging will be placed in a biohazardous waste bag. Items identified as 
sharps, posing a personal health risk to biomarker technicians, respondents and 
anyone disposing of waste (for example: microcuvettes, safety-engineered lancets, 
etc.) will be collected in a sharps container. 


Biohazardous Waste Bags 


For the [YEAR] [COUNTRY] [SURVEY], three sizes of biohazardous waste bags are 
provided: small 2-3 gallon (7.5-11.3 liters), medium 7-10 gallon (26.5-37.8 liters) 
and large 12-14 gallon (45.4-52.9 liters). The small “household” waste bag will be 
used to collect all the non-sharps biohazardous waste from one household. Once 
the biomarker technician has completed processing all eligible respondents within a 
single household, the small biohazardous waste bag should be tied in a knot making 
sure to remove any excess air. When traveling from one household to another, all 
individually knotted small biohazardous waste bags should be stored in a medium 


79 


“field” waste bag for easier transport. Thus, the biomarker technician can carry 
around one medium biohazardous waste bag instead of five or so small waste bags. 
At the team space or vehicle (wherever the biohazardous waste is being stored), all 
used medium biohazardous waste bags should have the excess air removed from 
them and be transferred for storage into a large “cluster” waste bag. The large 
biohazardous bag should hold all the waste collected within a cluster. If not, a 
second cluster bag may be used. See the table below for each biohazardous waste 
bag and their appropriate use. 


Biohazardous Appropriate Use Storage When Filled 
Waste Bag 


2 to 3-gallon Small household biohazardous Store inside of medium 
waste bag biohazardous bag 


7 to 10-gallon Stores the small biohazardous Store inside of large 
waste bags used in households for biohazardous bags 
easier transport though the field 


12 to 14-gallon Stores the medium biohazardous | Store at the team space until 
waste bags per cluster disposal at a local health 
facility 


If all the waste from one household will not fit into one 2-3 gallon small 
biohazardous waste bag, please use another small bag to collect the remaining 
household waste. Generally, 1-2 large cluster bags are enough to hold all the waste 
from one cluster. 


Sharps Containers 


For the [YEAR] [COUNTRY] [SURVEY], [SIZE] sharps containers are provided. Sharps 
are any items used to measure biomarkers (and as a result are contaminated with 
biohazardous bodily fluids or blood) that can puncture through the thin plastic 
biohazardous waste bags. Examples include lancets, microcuvettes, rapid 
diagnostic test cartridges, capillary tubes, and glass slides. All sharps containers 
used in the XDHS are made of puncture-proof plastic so any item placed inside of 
them will not puncture through the material. This is not the case for the plastic 
biohazardous waste bags. Sharp items include, but are not limited to, safety- 
engineered lancets, lancet covers and microcuvettes. To protect both the biomarker 
technicians and the respondents, safety-engineered lancets are used to reduce 
exposure to blood and injuries. These lancets are one-time use and thus, the blade 
permanently retracts into the casing after being triggered. However, if these 
lancets are tampered with after use (i.e., taken apart), it is possible to recover the 
blade inside the casing, so we place lancets inside the sharps container. Unlike the 
biohazardous waste bag, items cannot be recovered from the sharps container once 


80 


they are sealed. 


Note: you should NEVER attempt to remove any biohazardous waste 
material once it is discarded in the biohazardous waste bag or sharps 
container! 


See the table below for sharps containers and their appropriate use. 


Sharps Containers Appropriate Use Storage When Filled 


5 quarts Sharp biohazardous waste froma | Store at the team space until 


(4.7 liters) cluster disposal at a local health 
facility 


All sharps containers recommended by The DHS Program have a fill line printed on 
the outside. Do not fill the sharps containers with material past this line. Sharps 
containers once sealed cannot be reused. So once a sharps container is filled, close 
the lid and dispose of at a health facility. Start each cluster with a new sharps 
container even if the last sharps container from the previous cluster has yet to 
reach the fill line. 


Sharps container labels 


6.C. Procedures for disposal of biohazardous waste 


Biohazardous waste is generated at three stages during the YEAR] [COUNTRY] DHS: 
during the training, during field practice, and during fieldwork. Prior to generating 
any biohazardous waste, [Implementing Agency] in partnership with the [Ministry of 
Health, NACP or other country specific agencies] must identify health facilities that 
will dispose of the biohazardous waste collected according to [COUNTRY] national 
standards. A list of these health facilities and their contact information should be 
provided to the team supervisors by the [implementing agency] along with a letter 
from the MOH detailing the mission of the survey, introducing the team, and 
outlining the services needed from that facility. 


81 


At the end of training and after each blood collection within the household, all non- 
sharps materials used during the testing (i.e., gloves, alcohol swabs, and gauze 
pads) are to be placed in a 2-3 gallon household biohazardous waste bag. All sharp 
materials (i.e., lancets and microcuvettes) are to be placed in the sharps container. 
All biohazardous materials should be immediately placed in the appropriate waste 
bag or container after use. For instance, once you have pricked the finger or heel 
with the lancet, you should place the lancet directly into the sharps container, do 
not place the lancet back on the absorbent sheet. 


Before proceeding to new cluster, team supervisors should identify (from the list of 
facilities provided by [IMPLEMENTING AGENCY], the local health facility where the 
waste can be safely destroyed. Team supervisors should contact the health facility 
prior to or soon after entering the cluster to introduce themselves and inform the 
local health facility that the team intends to dispose of the biohazardous waste from 
the cluster(s) there. One health facility may be used for the disposing of waste from 
multiple clusters; hence it is considerate to inform the local health facility ahead of 
time. 


6.D. Methods of destroying/decontaminating biohazardous waste 


It is likely that the local health facilities identified by the government for safe 
disposal of biohazardous waste during the [YEAR] [COUNTRY] DHS will use one or a 
combination of the following methods to destroy or decontaminate the 
biohazardous waste. The two methods listed below are the best management 
options for solid infectious waste for small-scale activities. 


Incineration 


Incineration is the process of burning biohazardous waste and reducing the waste 
volume by about 80%. Incineration can take place in a chamber or drum/brick 
furnace. Through this method, 99% of microorganisms on biohazardous waste and 
contaminated sharps are destroyed. However, the sharps found in ashes can still 
pose a physical hazard. Open-air incineration is less effective at disinfecting and 
has the potential for incomplete burning (leaving behind infectious material), is 
more hazardous to the staff involved and runs a greater risk of unburned supplies 
being scavenged by people and animals. 


Autoclave 


Autoclaving is the process of sterilizing waste with steam treating at high 
temperature and pressure. In order to be effective, the steam needs to be able to 
penetrate the waste. Autoclaving can also be used to sterilize reusable medical 
waste. We do not autoclave and reuse any of the materials used in the [YEAR] 
[COUNTRY] DHS. 


82 


A few points to remember when you are collecting and storing biohazardous waste 
in the field: 


+ NEVER leave biohazardous waste in households 

e Biohazardous waste should NEVER be disposed of in general solid waste 
containers or facilities 

e Never store anything in the biohazardous waste bags or sharps containers 
other than biohazardous waste 

+ Once closed, the sharps containers cannot be reopened, so take care when 
moving through the field not to close the container prior to reaching the fill 
line 


83 


Chapter 7. APPENDIX 


What IS malnutrition? 


7.A. Informational pamphlet 


Malnutrition is a serious health condition that 


refers to undernutrition, micronutrient HEIGHT AND WEIGHT MEASURES 
deficiencies, or overweight. Name Name Name Name Name 
What CAUSES malnutrition? 
9 Not having enough to eat or not eating 
frequently enough. WEIGHT, 
Not eating enough of the right foods. Kg Ka Kg Kg Kg 
Poor health care and feeding practices. HEIGHT 
Frequent infections or disease. 
- ESA cm cm cm cm cm 
Why is malnutrition DANGEROUS? 
à It increases risk of death, infections, and 
chronic disease. HAEMOGLOBIN 
à Causes cognitive impairment leading to 
poor education performance. gl g/dl gl gl g/dl 
What do the Height and Weight Haemoglobin level diagnosis (circle one) 
results MEAN? Normal | Normal | Normal Normal | Normal 
9 Height and weight on their own do not 5 5 : 5 
provide enough information on Mu Mild Mild Mild Mu 
malnutrition status. Seek advice from a Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate 
healthcare provider for more information. 
Severe |Severe |Severe |Severe | Severe 


How can malnutrition be PREVENTED? 

9 Exclusively breastfeed your child for the 
first 6 months of life and continue to 
breastfeed up to 2 years or beyond. 


Hemoglobin values (Hb g/dl) in populations living at sea level: 


9 Eat a variety of food, including fruits or 


vegetables for those 6 months or older. 


9 Avoid beverages or foods with lots of 


Men 

213.0 

110-129 
Moderate Anemia | 7099 [7099 | 109-80 | 109-80 
SeveeAnemia [<70 [<70 | <80 <30 


sugar or salt. 


9 Practice good hygiene and proper food 
handling. 


® Prevent and treat infections and chronic 
diseases. 


How can Anaemia be PREVENTED? 


© Pregnant mothers and children should 
take iron tablets or syrup. 


à Eat a diet adequate in iron-rich foods such 
as dark green vegetables, liver, meat or 
fish, and fruits rich in vitamin C. 


9 Avoid giving tea to infants and young 
children. 


Avoid taking coffee or tea with meals. 
Prevent and treat worms. 
Prevent malaria by using mosquito nets. 


Limit the number of births through child 
spacing and delaying first pregnancies. 


sf 


To increase the body's use of iron, eat more 
fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C: 


eee 


Iron Rich Foods: 


dark green vegetables 


meat, liver or fish 


oranges 


lemons 


Mangoes 


red bell peppers 


Add MOH ADD IA 
LOGO LOGO 
HERE HERE 


What IS Anaemia? 
Anaemia is a serious health condition in 
which there are not enough red blood cells 
or haemoglobin in the blood. 


Haemoglobin is a substance in the blood 
that carries oxygen to the body. Iron is 
important for making haemoglobin. 


Why is Anaemia DANGEROUS? 
9 It reduces one’s resistance to infections. 


9 Severe anaemia can lead to heart failure 
during childbirth, anaemic women are 
more likely to die from excessive 
bleeding. 


© Anaemic children have low birth weight, 
poor learning capacity, and less 
resistance to infections than other 
children. 


What do the Anaemia Test results MEAN? 
Severe Anaemia: You have a seriously 


low level of haemoglobin in your blood. You 
need to see your doctor or health centre 
immediately for treatment. Eat more foods 
rich in iron and treat malaria and worms. 


Moderate and Mild Anaemia: You 
should visit your doctor or health centre 
when possible to learn the cause of your 
anaemia. Eat more foods rich in iron and 
treat malaria and worms. 


What CAUSES Anaemia? 
9 Loss of blood due to 
+ parasites, especially hookworms; 
+ excessive menstrual losses; 
* chronic diseases. 
© Lack of iron in the diet or inability of the 
body to absorb iron from food. 


COUNTRY Ministry of 
Health 

COUNTRY IMPLEMENTING 
AGENCY 

Contact Information: [ADDRESS] 

[LAST NAME AND FIRST NAME] 


Ph: (+XXX) XXX XXX 


Name Date 


MOH and [IA] are conducting the YEAR 
COUNTRY Demographic and Health 
Survey in which testing for anaemia is 
included. The study will help us identify 
whether there are problems with anaemia 
and other illnesses among women, and 
young children in COUNTRY. 


We appreciate that you allowed us to 
interview you, test for anaemia, and 
measurement your height and weight. 
Thank you for your cooperation. 


Please look inside 
for the results of your 
household's 
height and weight and for 
your anaemia testing. 


84 


7.B. Severe acute malnutrition referral 


1.A. [YEAR COUNTRY] DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH 
SURVEY: 


1.B. Severe Acute Malnutrition Referral Form 


During the [YEAR COUNTRY] DHS 
(Name), age____ months / years, was assessed for acute 
malnutrition. 


His/her weight was _____. kg and his/her height was | 


cm 


His/her weight-for-height was - __. _ Z-scores, which indicates 


he/she has severe acute malnutrition. 


THIS PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR ACUTE 
MALNUTRITION IN A HEALTH FACILITY RIGHT AWAY. 


Acute Malnutrition Referral Form is given when chi/d’s weight- 


85 


7.C. Fieldwork maintenance log 


FIELDWORK DAILY MAINTENANCE LOG - MEASURING BOARD 


Measurement in 
Number 


Condition/Remarks Not in [Fieldworker] 
cm use number 
en ic ou RS ee") ee 
001 
001 


FIELDWORK DAILY MAINTENANCE LOG - WEIGHING SCALE 


Equipment 
1D 


Date 
(ODIMMIYYYY) 


Cluster 
Number 


Condition/Remarks 


[Fieldworker] 
number 


86 


7.D. Standardization form 


[COUNTRY] DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY 
Standardization of Measurers 


First reading | 
second reading |} 


Name of Measurer: of Measurer: Date: 


ee of the child 
Name of Child nm 
Lying down. 
Standing up... 
i an 


Lying down. 1 aan 5 
Standing up..........2 


2 
wingdown..t | LTT JC) 
Standing up..........2 


Lying down. 


Standing up 


Lying down. 
Standing up 


hild 10 Lying down 


| | = | Standing up..........2 2 | | 


87 


7.E. Severe anemia referral 


1.N. [YEAR COUNTRY] DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH 
SURVEY: Anemia Referral Form 


During the [YEAR COUNTRY] DHS (Name), age __ 
months / years, was tested for anemia on . His/her 
level of hemoglobin was_____. __ g/dl, which indicates he/she has 


severe anemia. THIS PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR 
THE ANEMIA IN A HEALTH FACILITY RIGHT AWAY. 


Anemia Referral Form to be given when a respondent’s 
hemoglobin level is below 8.0 g/dL. 


88