Iodine deficiency in School Aged Children 7-12 years and Associated Factors in Akaki-kality Subcity of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal human growth and development as it is needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones produced by thyroid glands. Iodine deficiency is a severe public health problem in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of goiter, urinary iodine status and to determine iodine content of salt consumed by school age children 7-12 years. A school based cross-sectional study was conducted in five randomly selected primary schools in Akaki-kality subcity of Addis Ababa during April to July 2015. A total of 270 children were included in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect information of socio-demographic, knowledge on iodine deficiency and practices of iodized salt consumption. Clinical examination of thyroid gland was assessed by standard palpation method. Spot urine samples were collected and analyzed by Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Iodine content of salt samples was determined by iodometric titration method. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out. The overall prevalence of goiter was 23.3% with (Grade 1=22.2% and Grade 2=1.1%). Prevalence of goiter in females and males was 27.4% and 19.3% respectively. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased in age group 10-12 years (AOR=2.6; 95% CI=1.4, 4.8; p=0.003) and school where children learned (AOR=3.8; 95%CI=1.4, 10.1; p=0.009) were factors highly associated with goiter. The median urinary iodine level of school age children was 85.7 μg/L, Interquartile Range was 56.3 – 127.4 μg/L. The UIC was below 100μg/L in 62% of the children and 20% had UIC below 50μg/L. Inadequate iodine status of children was highly associated with age 7-9 years (AOR=2.2; 95%CI=1.1, 4.3; p=0.028), educational status of family (AOR=4.1; 95%CI=1.4, 11.8; p=0.009) and children’s consumed coarse salt (AOR=308.4; 95%CI=39.2, 2429.2; p=0.000). Only 20% of the total salt samples were adequately iodized. The finding of this study revealed that iodine deficiency is a moderate public health problem and iodized salt consumption is very low in the study area. Therefore, further strengthen the existing monitoring system for the quality of iodized salt and awareness creation activities on the benefits of iodine nutrition have to be intensified.
Keywords: Iodine deficiency; School age children; Urinary iodine excretion ;Goiter ;Iodized salt
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Iodine deficiency; School age children; Urinary iodine excretion ;Goiter ;Iodized salt