Knowledge and Attitude about Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) among Women and Quantification of Iodide found in Table Salt in Central Highland of Ethiopia

Abebe Ferede*¹, Muluemebet Abera² and Tefera Belachew²

Received: December 07, 2018;   Published: December 17, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.12.002229

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Abstract

Objective: Monitoring systems in broad part of each country is notable effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Although Ethiopian government developed micronutrient deficiency prevention and control guideline in 2005 and deployed health extension workers to give behaviour change communication for use of iodized salt. There is no published data of knowledge and attitude of mothers on iodized salt and the iodine content of table salt in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude of women towards IDD prevention through quantifying of iodine in table salt at central highland of Ethiopia.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 1012 women in the reproductive age group selected from central highland of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling method was implemented to select study area and households (HH). Study participants were interviewed using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Table salt samples were collected from each woman and from headquarter markets. Table salt samples transported to Ethiopian Public Health institute (EPHI) for determination of their iodine content using titration method each sample iodine content measured in milligram of iodine per kg of salt equivalent to - parts per million(ppm)

Results: From 1012 women interviewed, 683(67.0%) of women participated in the study lacked knowing IDD and 505 (49.9%) know the use of iodised salt for the prevention of IDD. Poor knowledge was strongly associated with low level of education (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR =4.61, 95% CI: 3.03, 7.023]. Analyses of table salt samples taken from HHs had 73 (60.83%) of samples in allowable standard limit (15 to 40ppm), over standard limit (>40ppm) 46 (38.33%) and blow standard limit (<15ppm) 1(0.83%). A total of 119 (99.17%) HHs had met their requirement of iodine per person per day. The average mean and standard deviation (SD) were 45.29+14.47mg/kg ( ppm).

Conclusion: Knowledge among women towards prevention of IDD was very poor. More than 90% iodised salt had provided adequate (150μg) of iodine per person per day. Therefore, this study strongly encourages behaviour change communication (BCC) to the community. Mid urine iodine concentration techniques among children is recommended for to actualized the pregress of iodized salt intervention.

Keywords :Iodide Quantity Iodised Salt; IDD Titration; Women’s Knowledge; Ethiopia

Abbreviations : AOR: Adjusted Odds Ratio; CI: Confidence Interval, EPHI - Ethiopian Public Health Institute, ETB - Ethiopian Birr (currency); HH: Household; HHs: Households; IDD: Iodine Deficiency Disorders, PPM: Parts Per Million, KG: Kilogram, MG: Milligram, SD: Standard Deviation; μg: Microgram, UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund