The goitre rate, its association with reproductive failure, and the knowledge of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among women in Ethiopia: Cross-section community based study

Cherinet Abuye,Yemane Berhane

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-316

Abstract

BackgroundIodine deficiency is severe public health problem in Ethiopia. Although urinary iodine excretion level (UIE) is a better indicator for IDD the goitre rate is commonly used to mark the public health significance. The range of ill effect of IDD is however beyond goitre in Ethiopia. In this study the prevalence of goitre and its association with reproductive failure, and the knowledge of women on Iodine Deficiency were investigated.MethodsA cross-section community based study was conducted during February to May 2005 in 10998 women in child bearing age of 15 to 49 years. To assess the state of iodine deficiency in Ethiopia, a multistage "Proportional to Population Size" (PPS) sampling methods was used, and WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD recommended method for goitre classification.ResultsTotal goitre prevalence (weighted) was 35.8% (95% CI 34.5–37.1), 24.3% palpable and 11.5% visible goitre. This demonstrates that more than 6 million women were affected by goitre.Goitre prevalence in four regional states namely Southern Nation Nationalities and People (SNNP), Oromia, Bebshandul-Gumuz and Tigray was greater than 30%, an indication of severe iodine deficiency. In the rest of the regions except Gambella, the IDD situation was mild to moderate. According to WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD this is a lucid indication that IDD is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Women with goitre experience more pregnancy failure (X2 = 16.5, p < 0.001; OR = 1.26, 1.12 < OR < 1.41) than non goitrous women. Similarly reproductive failure in high goitre endemic areas was significantly higher (X2 = 67.52; p < 0.001) than in low. More than 90% of child bearing age women didn't know the cause of iodine deficiency and the importance of iodated salt.ConclusionEthiopia is at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. The findings presented in this report emphasis on a sustainable iodine intervention program targeted at population particularly reproductive age women. Nutrition education along with Universal Salt Iodization program and iodized oil capsule distribution in some peripheries where iodine deficiency is severe is urgently required.

Highlights

Iodine deficiency is severe public health problem in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is at risk of iodine deficiency disorders
Total Goitre Rate (TGR) in four of the regions namely Southern Nation Nationalities and People (SNNP), BenshangulGumuz, Tigray and Oromiya was greater than 30%, with the maximum of about 60% in SNNPR, an indication of severe iodine deficiency in the states

Summary

Introduction

Iodine deficiency is severe public health problem in Ethiopia. Urinary iodine excretion level (UIE) is a better indicator for IDD the goitre rate is commonly used to mark the public health significance. In this study the prevalence of goitre and its association with reproductive failure, and the knowledge of women on Iodine Deficiency were investigated. According to the WHO, Iodine Deficiency Disorders are among the major public health problems of the world, of pregnant and young women in many developing countries [1]. Iodine deficiency causes a wide range of health related problems that are collectively called Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) [2,3]. Several experimental studies revealed that, reproductive failure could be corrected by iodine supplementation in goitre endemic areas [5]

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