Abstract
Background: In 1993, Nigeria enacted a law making it mandatory for all salt both for human and animal consumption to be fortified with iodine in a bid to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). IDD is a silent threat to the growth and development of the child and also to national development. The aim of this study was to assess the status of iodine nutrition in schoolchildren in areas known for the production of local uniodized salt. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in two Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in 400 pupils aged 6–12 years old. In addition, the iodine content of kitchen salt samples of the pupils that donated their urine samples were estimated qualitatively using rapid test kit. Salt samples from markets within the localities were also tested to ascertain the level of iodine. Results: Median UIC of the schoolchildren was 145 μg/L and 31.19% of the schoolchildren had sufficient/adequate iodine intake (100–199 μg/L). Household salt iodization testing showed that 90.0% of the total household salt samples collected during the survey proved iodized; however, only 63.5% were adequately iodized (≥15 parts per million [ppm]). Market salt samples tested showed that three brands of salt were adequately iodized (≥15 ppm), whereas two brands of salt were not iodized (0 ppm). Conclusion: Even though the median UIC in the total study population was at the recommended level (100–199 μg/L), indicating optimal iodine nutrition, the proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt (63.5%) was below the recommended target of >90%.
Published Version
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