Evaluating Hospital-Based Anemia Screening Programs in Uganda: A Narrative Review of Diagnostic Performance, programme Quality and Health-System Value

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Anemia is a major clinical concern in Uganda, affecting children, pregnant and postpartum women, people living with HIV, surgical patients, and adults with infectious or chronic illnesses. Hospitals are ideal screening sites because they serve high-risk populations and provide access to laboratories, clinicians, transfusion services, and referral networks. This review argues that anemia screening should be evaluated as a complete clinical cascade, including patient reach, test accuracy, turnaround time, severity classification, investigation of causes, treatment initiation, transfusion decisions, referrals, follow-up, and outcomes. Point-of-care haemoglobin testing is feasible, although device and site performance vary, while visual pallor alone is unreliable for diagnosing severe anemia. Programme effectiveness depends on adequate supplies, quality assurance, staffing, medicines, blood availability, data systems, and follow-up. Universal testing is appropriate in antenatal care and selected high-risk admissions, while targeted screening may suit lower-risk groups. National standards, validated devices, integrated services, monitoring indicators, and cost-effectiveness studies are recommended. Keywords: anaemia; anemia screening; haemoglobin; hospital programmes; Uganda; point-of-care testing; maternal health; paediatrics; quality improvement.