Assessing the status of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and associated factors in Wolaita and Dawro Zones School Adolescents, southern Ethiopia
Workie et al. BMC Res Notes
Assessing the status of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and associated factors in Wolaita and Dawro Zones School Adolescents, southern Ethiopia
Shimelash Bitew Workie 0
Yemane Gebremariam Abebe 2
Amha Admasie Gelaye 0
Tefera Chane Mekonen 1
0 College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University , Wolayta Sodo , Ethiopia
1 College of Health Science and Medicine Wollo University , Dessie , Ethiopia
2 College of Health Science and Medicine Mekele University , Mekelle , Ethiopia
Background: Iodine deficiency is the major preventable cause of irreversible mental retardation in the world. Ethiopia is a country with high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders which continue to affect a large number of the country's population. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder in Wolaita and Dawuro zones. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in high school and preparatory students in Wolaita and Dawuro zones between April and May 2012. Data were collected from 718 school adolescents using pre-tested questionnaire through systematic random sampling technique. Data were entered and cleaned using Epi-info version 3.5.3 and then transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression were done and the cut off value set was P < 0.05 as this is considered as statistically significant. Result: The overall prevalence (total goiter rate) of goiter in study area was 351 (48.9%). Students with Grade-1 goiter were 265 (36.9%) while with Grade-2 goiter was 86 (11.9%). Females were by a long way vulnerable for goiter and accounts 60.9% with Pearson correlation coefficient 0.300, P value 0.0001. Generally, the occurrence of goiter in the study area was found to have statistical significant association with sex of respondents (being female) [AOR = 3.526; 95% CI (2.55-4.87)], climatic condition of resident (temperate climate) [AOR = 0.617; 95% CI (0.404-0.943)], frequency of iodized salt use [AOR = 0.484; 95% CI (0.317-0.739)] and consumption of cassava [AOR = 4.184; 95% CI (2.6-6.707)]. Conclusion and recommendation: In general, the study revealed that iodine deficiency disorder was a serious public health concern. Nearly half of adolescent students in Wolaita and Dawuro zones were affected by goiter. Therefore, emphasis on a sustainable iodine intervention program targeted at population level, particularly at females is mandatory. Nutrition education along with adequate Universal Salt Iodization program is urgently required.
Iodine deficiency; Adolescent students; Wolaita and Dawuro zone; Ethiopia
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Iodine deficiency disorder, one of the most prevalent
micronutrient deficiencies globally, is the main cause
of potentially preventable mental retardation in
childhood, as well as a spectrum of morbidities referred to
as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). The World Health
Organization estimates that approximately 37% of
school-age children, 285 million, and 1.88 billion people
worldwide remain at risk of insufficient iodine intake and
approximately a third of the world’s population lives in
areas with some iodine deficiency [1]. Iodine deficiency
is not only a common problem of developing countries
but also developed countries including Australia, New
Zealand and the United Kingdom are confronted with
reemergence of mild iodine deficiency and taken as public
health problem in more than 50 countries [2, 3].
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The estimated annual potential cost attributable to IDD
in the developing world prior to widespread salt
iodization was $35.7 billion per year versus $0.5 billion per year
after salt iodization, giving a benefit–cost ratio of 70:1 [4].
Iodine deficiency poses a threat throughout the
lifecycle and has been associated with mental impairment
and goitre in older children and adults and complications
with pregnancy, including stillbirth and congenital
anomalies [5]. Inadequate iodine intake during pregnancy may
lead to irreversible foetal brain damage. Ethiopia is a
country with a high prevalence of iodine deficiency
disorders which continue to affect a large number of the
country’s population. Goiter prevalence rates vary
significantly from region to region in Ethiopia and in
certain areas the prevalence rate may be as high as 71% [6].
Total goiter prevalence (weighted) in Ethiopia was 35.8%
in which 24.3 and 1 (...truncated)