Analysis of the assessment results on iodine deficiency disorders of the Twelfth Five Years Project in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province

Abstract

Objective To assess the progress of control and elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan in order to make classified and refined strategy in prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to the project of Assessment on Endemic Disease of the Twelfth Five Years Project in Sichuan Province, the last assessment was carried out. From March to June 2015, the management indicators were graded in 13 counties (cities) of Aba Prefecture, 1 township (town) was chosen according to the east, west, south, north, and centre of 5 directions of each county (city), 4 administrative villages were chosen in each township (town), salt samples from 15 households were collected in each administrative village, and the content of salt iodine was tested based on the arbitration law (GB/T 13025.7-1999). One primary school was chosen in each township (town), urine samples of 40 children aged 8-10 (half males and half females) were collected, arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry (WS/T 107-2006) was used to test the content of urinary iodine; and palpation method was used to check goiter. Urine samples of 20 pregnant women were collected in the selected township (town), and the content of urinary iodine was determined; at the same time, of the pregnant women who had been checked urinary iodine levels, 10 individuals were selected to conduct a questionnaire survey to understand the health education of pregnant women. Results The average score of management indicators was 92. A total of 3 941 salt samples were collected, the median of salt iodine was 28.8 mg/kg, the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 96.6% (3 806/3 941), and the rate of iodized salt was 99.6% (3 927/3 941). A total of 2 866 urine samples of children were tested, the median of urinary iodine was 160.0 μg/L, and < 50 μg/L was 4.6% (131/2 866); the thyroid enlargement rate was 0.7% (19/2 819). A total of 1 143 urine samples of pregnant women were tested, the median of urinary iodine was 188.3 μg/L, and < 150 μg/L was 27.9% (319/1 143); a total of 650 questionnaires were collected, awareness of pregnant women's health education was 78.3% (1 527/1 950). Conclusion Aba Prefecture continues to eliminate IDD, and the iodine nutrition status of the population is better, but it is necessary to further strengthen supervision on iodized salt market and health education. Key words: Child; Pregnant women; Thyroid gland; Iodine; Salts; Urine; Assessment