COMPARISON OF HEIGHT MEASURING INSTRUMENTS FOR CHILDREN USED IN TWO MUNICIPALITIES OF LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES

Normahitta P Gordoncillo1, Nancy A Tandang2, Maria Theresa M Talavera1 and Divine Grace C Domingo1

Abstract

Stunting is a global nutritional problem including in the Philippines. Regardless of location, doubts on accuracy and reliability of equipment used in measuring stunting exist. Standardized measuring procedures and equipment should be used to ensure accuracy, reliability and minimal measurement errors. Four height measuring equipment, namely, Allen’s Stick, Aluminum-Acrylic Height Board, Stadiometer and Wooden Height Board, were assessed for accuracy and reliability of height determinations obtained from three end-user pairs. Trials were conducted in two municipalities in Laguna, Philippines, by 12 community health and nutrition workers as end-users. Height/length values of randomly selected children (n = 40), 6-71 months of age, were achieved with high accuracy and degree of reliability for both inter- and intra-measurers using the Wooden Height Board, but the other three height measurement equipment were equally acceptable provided adequate training was provided on the procedures recom-mended by the manufacturers. The relatively high weight of the Wooden Height Board was offset by its low production cost.