Effect of health education in the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders in Sichuan Province

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education in the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Sichuan Province. Methods In 2007, a variety of health education interventions of IDD carried out in four countries(district) of Lixian, Anyue, Qingchuan and Ziliujing. One primary school from east, west, south, north and the central in the each county was randomly selected, and 40 students from 3-5 grade in every school and 30 hosewives aged 20-50 year-old near the school were asked to answer a questionnaire on health education and iodine content of table salt was qualitatively detected before intervention and six months after intervention. Results A total of 2839 doctors, government officials and teachers received training, 45 primary schools launched iodized salt identification activities, 240 primary schools offered health education classes, and 156 primary school held essay contests 109 000 short messages on the knowledge of IDD and 791 499 health education materials were sent out and 2106 knowledge lectures were organized. After health education intervention, the students' awareness rate of IDD increased from 26.9%(657/2444) to 90.4%(2201/2435, X~2= 2027.49, P < 0.01), and the rate of iodized salt increasedfrom 96.6% (2360/2444) to 99.8% (2430/2435, X~2=71.13, P < 0.01); the housewives' awareness rate of IDD increased from 59.2%(356/601) to 96.7% (586/606, X~2=247.18, P < 0.01), and the rate of iodized salt increased from 97.3%(585/601) to 99.8%(605/606, X~2= 13.55, P < 0.01). Qualified iodized salt coverage rate raised from 84.5% (508/601) to 96.0% (582/606, X~2= 45.70, P < 0.01). Conclusions It is obviousely effective to carry out health education of IDD among students and housewives to strengthen effectiveness of prevention and control of IDD. Health education is a very important measure for IDD prevention and control. Key words: Iodine; Deficiency disorders; Health education; Outcome assessment