The effect of Iodine Deficiency on the Academic Performance of School Children in Sodo Town, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: There are many reasons for children to underperform at school because of poor
nutritional status, below average intelligence, socio-cultural environment and other
environmental factors. Iodine deficiency disorder is a public health problem worldwide
including Ethiopia and it is the major cause of preventable brain damage in children.
Although there are studies on iodine deficiency in the country, its effect on academic
performance is not well documented.
Objective: This study intended to assess effect of Iodine Deficiency on academic
performance of school children in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: School based comparative cross sectional study on a sample population of 270
children with goiter and 264 without goiter was conducted in a purposively selected primary
school in Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia from Dec. 2010 to Feb 2011. Total students in each
class were examined for the presence of goiter and classified based on WHO
recommendation. For every child with goiter, next child without goiter was selected from the
same class. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic
factors and information on students’ academic performance was obtained from the school
record. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to see the effect of
independent variables on the outcome variable. Ethical clearance was obtained from
Research Ethics Committee of School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis
Ababa University.
Result: Among children with goiter higher proportion (54.8%) were females and proportion
increase with age. Consuming foods (cabbage and cassava) was significantly associated with
goiter (AOR=1.9; 95%CI=1.2, 2.9). The odds of scoring low school performance was higher
among, children whose fathers were illiterate (AOR=1.9; 95%CI=1.1, 3.5) and absenteeism
of more than four days (AOR=1.5; 95%CI=1.1, 2.21). Goiter was significantly associated
with low academic performance (AOR=1.8; 95%CI=1.2, 2.5).
Conclusion and recommendation: Goiter rate is significantly associated with consumption
of goiterogens. Presence of goiter has negative effect on academic performance. Awareness
on endemic goiter and its impact on school performance and emphasis on prevention and
control by concerned bodies is recommended to alleviate the problem
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The effect of Iodine Deficiency on the Academic Performance