how valid is the tallquist method in screening pregnant women with anemia in poor rural settings of southwestern nigeria?

background: diagnosis of anemia is challenging in resource-poor settings due to inadequate laboratory resources. this study assessed the validity of the tallquist haemoglobinometer in assessing anemia among pregnant women in osogbo, southwestern nigeria. methods: this was a cross - sectional study, in which 200 pregnant women of reproductive age were selected using multistage sapling method. a checklist was used to collect socio-demographic data and the results of the screening test. blood collection and analysis were carried out using standardized referenced methods. results: mean±sd age of the respondents was 28.9+3.9 yrs.; and 62 (62.6%) had up to primary level education. when tallquist and haematocrit methods were compared, there was 68.4%, 83.5% and 100% likelihood of tallquist method (tm) diagnosing severe, moderate and mild anemia, respectively. the validity indices of the tm versus haematocrit method as the gold standard revealed the sensitivity of 97.9%, specificity of 92.1%, positive predictive value of 92.4%, and negative predictive value of 97.9% and diagnostic accuracy of 95.0%. when compared to the haemoglobin cyanide method, the tallquist method showed a calculated sensitivity of 96.6%, specificity of 87.4%, positive predictive value of 86.0%, and negative predictive value of 97.0% and diagnostic accuracy of 91.5%. conclusion: the tm is a valid tool in screening anemia among pregnant women in resource- poor settings and rural primary health care centers in southwestern nigeria; therefore, its use should be encouraged, particularly to assess mild to moderate anemia.