Abstract
Introduction: Since 1996, Niger has officially adopted the universal dietary salt iodization program (UDSI). Objective: It is a before‑after trial study conducted to determine the impact of UDSI program in Tiguey 16 years after. Subjects and methods: The study was centered on 371 volunteers whose thyroid gland was palpated and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) determined in 319 of them. Results: The total goitre rate (TGR) was 13.20% with 9.70% invisible but palpable goitre (G1) and 3.50% visible goitre (G2). In 1987, the TGR was 77.15%, with 25.25% G1 and 51.90 % G2. The median UIC was 166.00 μg/L, the 20th percentile 66.40 μg/L and the 80 percentile was 300 μg/L. 68.34 % of the volunteers had a UIC ≥ 100 μg/L, 2.51% <20 μg/L, 10.97% between 20 and 49 μg/L and 18.18% between 50 and 99 μg/L. In 1987, only 3.96% of the studied sample had a UIC ≥ 100 μg/L, 45 % had a UIC <20 μg/L, 35% between 20 and 49 μg/L and 16% from 50 to 99 μg/L. No significant relationship was found between UIC and age and gender or goitre prevalence and gender (P> 0.05). However, goitre prevalence increases significantly with age (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of the UDSI program in Niger decreased goitre prevalence and significantly improved the nutritional iodine status of the populations of Tiguey. However a slight endemic goitre and mild to moderate iodine deficiency persists.
Highlights
Since 1996, Niger has officially adopted the universal dietary salt iodization program (UDSI)
The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is greater than the minimum value of 100 μg/L recommended as appropriate in a given population
The marked reduction in endemic goitre rate and the significant improvement in the nutritional iodine status achieved in Tiguey showed the positive impact of the UDSI program
Summary
Since 1996, Niger has officially adopted the universal dietary salt iodization program (UDSI). Iodine is a trace element essential for normal growth and development of human beings and whose deficiency is responsible of various pathologies commonly called iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) [1,2,3,4]. Iodine depletion can have serious consequences, causing abnormal neuronal development, mental retardation, congenital abnormalities, spontaneous miscarriage, congenital hypothyroidism, and infertility [5, 6]. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, in 2007, nearly 2 billion individuals had insufficient iodine intake, a third being of school age [7]. In 1984, an epidemiological survey revealed a prevalence of endemic goitre of 78% in 386 patients examined in the village of Tiguey [8]. In 1987, another study undertaken in the same village showed that endemic goitre was associated with iodine deficiency. Five months after deep intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL of lipiodol, the average UIC increased and went from 34 μg/L to 902 mg/L in nongoitrous and from 37 μg/L to 911 mg/L among goitrous [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call