Availability of Adequately Iodized Dietary Salt and Associated Factors in a Town of Southeast Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Gadisa Fitala Obssie,Kassahun Ketema,Yohannes Tekalegn,Frederick Ato Armah

doi:10.1155/2020/1357192

Abstract

Background Iodine deficiency is the world's major cause of preventable intellectual impairment, and nearly 2 billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency worldwide. Prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders primarily aim at ensuring the intake of adequate iodine to maintain normal thyroid function. In our study area, studies regarding the coverage of adequately iodized salt at household level are meager. Hence, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of adequately iodized dietary salt at a household level in Kore Town, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kore town from August 1 to 30, 2019. A total of 394 households were selected for this study using a simple random sampling technique. The level of salt iodine content was determined using the rapid field test kit. Then, iodine contents of dietary salt were reported as <15 parts per million and ≥15 parts per million. Data regarding sociodemographic factors, knowledge of respondents about iodized salt, and iodized salt handling practices were collected through a face-to-face interview. The binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent factors and the outcome variable. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Result Out of all the households, 223 (56.6%) had adequately iodized salt. Not exposing iodized salt to sunlight (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.2), storing the salt at a dry or cold place [(AOR = 4.77, 95% CI: 1.39, 16.45) and (AOR = 8.23, 95% CI: 1.44, 47.19), respectively], and having good knowledge about iodized salt (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.18, 3.01) were significantly associated with the presence of adequately iodized salt at the household level. Conclusion Availability of adequately iodized salt in the study area was far below the World Health Organization recommendation. Information regarding the importance and proper handling of iodized dietary salt should be communicated to the householders.

Highlights

Iodine deficiency is the world’s major cause of preventable intellectual impairment, and nearly 2 billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency worldwide
Erefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with availability of adequately iodized dietary salt at household level in Kore Town, Southeast Ethiopia
A community-based crosssectional study was conducted in the Kore town from August 01 to 30, 2019. e town is located at 49 kilometers in the northeastern direction of Shashemene town, capital of West Arsi zone, Southeast Ethiopia. e town has a total of 1033 households and about 4956 total population. e major crops produced in the woreda include wheat, barley, bean, pea, potato, inset, cabbage, onion, and maize

Summary

Introduction

Iodine deficiency is the world’s major cause of preventable intellectual impairment, and nearly 2 billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency worldwide. Studies regarding the coverage of adequately iodized salt at household level are meager. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of adequately iodized dietary salt at a household level in Kore Town, Southeast Ethiopia. Out of all the households, 223 (56.6%) had adequately iodized salt. Availability of adequately iodized salt in the study area was far below the World Health Organization recommendation. Information regarding the importance and proper handling of iodized dietary salt should be communicated to the householders. About 2 billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency [5, 6]. In Ethiopia, 62% of the people are at risk of iodine deficiency [8]

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