Anemia levels were determined by measuring the level of hemoglobin in the blood, a decreased concentration characterizes anemia. The concentration of hemoglobin in the blood was measured in the field using the HemoCue system. The HemoCue instrument is a special purpose photometer designed specifically for the determination of hemoglobin levels. A capillary blood sample was taken from the palm side of the end of a finger, punctured with a sterile, non-reusable, self-retractable lancet. The blood drop was collected in a HemoCue microcuvette, which serves as a measuring tool, and placed in the HemoCue photometer to determine the level of hemoglobin.
