Validation of RDT kit for screening anaemia among women of reproductive age at the field level in comparison with the gold standard in rural areas of coastal Karnataka, India

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h3>Background</h3> Anaemia in women of reproductive age is still a problem for public health worldwide. As per NFHS-5 data anaemia among reproductive age group is about 57%. Anaemia is indicative of poor nutrition and health. The most common type of anaemia is due to nutritional factors. <h3>Objective</h3> To validate the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit used for screening anaemia among women of child bearing age group at the field level in comparing with gold standard test. <h3>Methodology</h3> A community-based cross-sectional study done among women in reproductive age group using RDT kit in the rural area of Coastal Karnataka. Villages were selected from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada Districts of Coastal Karnataka. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1443 subjects consented and were screened for anaemia using RDT kit in comparison with gold standard method. 43% individuals were classified as anaemic by both methods. Sensitivity=78.90%, Specificity=94.04%, Positive predictive value (PPV) = 90.91%. Negative predictive value (NPV) = 85.51%, The accuracy of RDT kit at 95% CI was 87.53% (85.71%, 89.19%). With a specificity of 94.04% and an accuracy of 87.53%. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The use of RDT kit at the field level can be used as a tool for screening and monitoring of anaemia at the field level. The RDT kit can be used in areas where access to healthcare facilities is limited and at the field level for haemoglobin estimation by grassroots healthcare workers. The RDT kit results are reliable.