Effect of Inadequate Iodine Status on Academic Performance of Secondary School Girls in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Iodine is an indispensable micronutrient essential for the normal, physical, mental development, and well-being of all humans. Although Sokoto State has long been considered iodine sufficient, increasing evidence suggests that it might now be mildly to moderately iodine deficient. The study assessed whether mild to moderate iodine deficiency in adolescent’s girls was associated with an adverse effect on academic performance. Systematic random sampling study was conducted among public secondary schools of the three zones of Sokoto State, 248 girls aged 14 – 17 were recruited. Performance in English and Mathematics was assessed using quasi experimental method. Validated pre-test and post-test questionnaires were used to assess subject’s demographical data. Interval plot was used for mean scores in performance of English and Mathematics of the study subjects, column charts was used for comparing grades of performance in English and Mathematics of the subjects in the zones. Result in means scores showed 54.4 in SCZ subjects and 54.1 in SWZ subjects compared to 38.5 in SEZ subjects. Grades of Performance in English and Mathematics showed 28.9% subjects in SCZ, 32.9% subjects in SWZ compared to 41.7% subjects in SEZ, scoring below satisfactory level ranging from fair and poor performance. Inadequate iodine level is seen to be associated with decrease in academic performance of the study subjects. Adequate iodine intake should continue to be encouraged in the general population more especially in the secondary schools girls, most of whom are at the verge of becoming mothers of children who would be enrolled in schools