en Community Health Community Health Original Research Original Research <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background: </strong>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.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>&nbsp; Methods</strong>: This was a cross -&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>&nbsp; Results</strong>: Mean&plusmn;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%.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>&nbsp; Conclusion</strong>: 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.&nbsp;</p> <p></p> Anemia, Tallquist method, Validity, Pregnant women, Southwestern Nigeria. 634 639 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-1019&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Adebimpe Wasiu Olalekan lekanadebimpe@gmail.com 200319475328460023103 200319475328460023103 No Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences Osun State University Osogbo, PMB 4494, Osogbo, Nigeria. Akanni Olufemi Emmanuel 200319475328460023104 200319475328460023104 Yes Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, LAUTECH College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Nigeria.