Iodine Content Of Salt Research Articles

Prevalence of Goiter and its Association with Consumption of Iodized Salt among School Children, in a Rural Area, Tamilnadu

Background: Iodine Deficiency Disorders is a significant public health problem all over the world.Iodine is essential element for thyroid function, necessary for normal growth, development and functioning of brain and body. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of goiter among school children and to assess the prevalence of useof iodized salt. Material and Methods: A Cross sectional study conducted among Children between 6-12 years of agein Mappedu area.A pre-tested questionnaire, Rapid test kit to find iodine content of salt and clinical examination to assess goitre was done for the study subjects.The sample size calculated was120. Dataanalysis: Proportions and chi-square was used for analysis. Results: 65% were using iodized salt and remaining 35% were using non-iodised salt.The prevalence of goiter was found to be 17(14.2%). Conclusion: One-third of children and their family were not consuming adequately iodized salt. The consumption of iodized salt is still less in the community and Iodine Deficiency Disorders continue to be a public health problem.

Revalence of Goiter and its Association with Consumption of Iodized Salt among School Children, in a Rural Area, Tamilnadu

Background: Iodine Deficiency Disorders is a significant public health problem all over the world. Iodine is essential element for thyroid function, necessary for normal growth, development and functioning of brain and body. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of goiter among school children and to assess the prevalence of useof iodized salt. Material and Methods: A Cross sectional study conducted among Children between 6-12 years of ageinMappedu area.A pre-tested questionnaire, Rapid test kit to find iodine content of salt and clinical examination to assess goitre was done for the study subjects.The sample size calculated was120.Dataanalysis:Proportions and chi-square was used for analysis. Results: 65% were using iodized salt and remaining 35% were using non-iodised salt.The prevalence of goiter was found to be 17(14.2%). Conclusion: One-third of children and their family were not consuming adequately iodized salt. The consumption of iodized salt is still less in the community and Iodine Deficiency Disorders continue to be a public health problem.

A Cross-sectional study assessing the Prevalence ofIodine Deficiency Disorders among school children aged6 to 12 years in Tumakuru district of Karnataka

Background Iodine deficiency disorders IDD constitute a major public health problem in India. Deficiency of iodine can cause physical and mental retardation cretinism abortions stillbirth deaf mutism squint amp various types of goitre. Methodology A community ndash based cross section survey was undertaken during the February-March 2019 in Tumakuru district of Karnataka to find out prevalence of goitre estimate urinary iodine excretion in 6-12 years old school children and household salt iodine concentrations. 2875 school children aged 6-12 years were examined for goitre. Urine samples of 270 childrenwere collected for estimation of urinary iodine using Sandell-Kolthoff method. Household salt samples of the 540 selected children from schools were analyzed for its iodine content by standard iodometric titration method. Results The overall prevalence of Goitre was found to be 9.5 among children examined. The median urinary iodine excretion UIE was 104 mugL. All the household salt samples were adequately iodized having Iodine content of gt15ppm. Conclusion Considering prevalence of goitre in 6-12 years children Tumakuru district is lsquoendemicrsquo for IDD. But as inferred from median UIE obtained IDD is not a public health problem of significance. Household level salt is adequately iodized as per NIDDCP recommendations

A study of prevalence of goiter among school children in Kolar

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute the single largest cause of preventable brain damage worldwide leading to learning disabilities and psychomotor impairment. Nearly 266 million school children worldwide have insufficient iodine intake. IDD was found to be a public health problem in 47 countries. Since the information on current prevalence of goiter in Kolar was not available, the present study was undertaken.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children aged 6-12 years in Kolar taluk. A total of 650 children (325 urban and 325 rural) were selected for goiter examination by multistage random cluster sampling technique. A total of 150 children were tested for the median urinary concentration and 150 salt samples were tested from the households of the study population.Results: The total goiter rate was 6.6% among primary school children aged 6-12 years with a significant difference between ages. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased. The median urinary iodine excretion level was found to be 137 µg/l and 92.7% salt samples had >15 ppm iodine content.Conclusions: Present study shows mild goiter prevalence in primary school children in Kolar and an adequate iodine content of salt and urine.

Iodine status of 8 to 10 years old children within 20 years following compulsory salt iodization policy in Shanghai, China

BackgroundIn 1996, Shanghai implemented universal salt iodization and has became the last provincial unit in China to carry out this intervention. In this study, we summarized achievements in past 20 years, to provide suggestions and evidence for the next stage of iodine supplementation.MethodsThis study summarized and analyzed monitoring data of children from 1997, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2017 in Shanghai. In each monitoring year, 30 streets or towns were selected using the probability-proportional-to-size sampling technique. One primary school was selected from each street or town by a simple random sampling technique. From each school, 40 children aged 8 to 10 years were randomly selected. The number of children was divided equally by sex and age.ResultsIn 1997, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2017, median urinary iodine (MUI) was 227.5 μg/L, 214.3 μg/L, 198.1 μg/L, 181.6 μg/L, 171.4 μg/L, and 183.0 μg/L, goiter rate was 3.07, 0.40, 0.08, 0.08, 0.86, and 1.90%, and median thyroid volume (MTvol) was 2.9 mL, 1.2 mL, 2.4 mL, 1.0 mL, 1.8 mL, and 2.8 mL, respectively. There was a linear correlation between goiter rate and median thyroid volume (MTvol) (r = 0.95, P = 0.014). Household salt iodine concentration (SIC) was dropping every monitoring (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference among different household SIC groups in MUI in 1999 and 2017, and in MTvol in 1999 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in the other years.ConclusionsIn Shanghai, the iodine status of 8 to 10 years old children is adequate. Household SIC have little effect on iodine status of children. Future studies should analyze the dietary sources of iodine, especially from pre-packaged and prepared-away-from-home foods or meals. The regular monitoring of iodine status is important to human health.

Estimation of iodine content of commercially available consumable salts in and around Madhuranthagam, Tamil Nadu, South India

Iodine is an essential micronutrient in the thyroid hormone synthesis, hence inadequate or excess iodine may result in thyroid dysfunction. Hence the dietary iodine intake has to be monitored regularly for the recommended levels. With other confounding factors in dietary source, salt fortification with iodine was implemented by World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 1993. Inspite of Universal Salt Iodization (USI), Hypothyroidism is believed to be a common health issue in India and Worldwide. Hence this study was done on a small scale primarily by estimating the salt iodine content of commercially available consumable salts. Salt packets were collected from the retail shops in and around Madhuranthagam. The iodine content in the salt samples was estimated and expressed in parts per mllion (p.p.m) based on the Titration method recommended by WHO. The results were analysed by the number of samples (in percentage) with adequate, less and excess iodine content as per the WHO recommendation. Keywords: Consumable salt iodine, Iodine status, Thyroid dysfunction, Hypothyroidism, Universal salt iodization (USI).

Analysis of urinary iodine level and thyroid function in Tibetan adults in Lhasa

Objective To investigate the distribution of urinary iodine level and its relationship with thyroid function in Tibetan adults in Lhasa. Methods Tibetan residents living in Lhasa and its surrounding countryside were recruited by the method of multistage randomized cluster sampling. Their salt iodine, drinking water iodine, urinary iodine, and thyroid function levels were detected. According to the urinary iodine level, these subjects were divided into the iodine deficiency group (urinary iodine<100 μg/L), the iodine enough group (urine iodine 100-199 μg/L), the iodine adequate group (urine iodine 200-299 μg/L) and the iodine excessive group (urine iodine≥300 μg/L). The differences in thyroid function among various groups were compared. Results A total of 2 235 subjects were included in the study. The overall level of urinary iodine was in skewed distribution, with a median (upper and lower quartiles) of 154 (99, 229) μg/L. The proportion of subjects with insufficient iodine intake was 25.7%, while those of the enough, adequate, and excessive groups were 41.5%, 21.3%, and 11.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in urine iodine level between males and females [152(95, 219)μg/L vs 155(100, 232)μg/L P>0.05]. The urinary iodine levels in residents of urban were higher than those in rural residents [157(101, 232) μg/L vs 140(92, 200) μg/L, P 0.05). The levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were gradually decreased with the increase of urinary iodine level (P<0.05). Conclusion More than 50% of Tibetans are at the status of low iodine and high iodine intakes in Lhasa. Although the salt iodine content meets national standards, the drinking water iodine content is lower than that standard. Key words: Lhasa; Tibetan; Urinary iodine; Thyroid function

Iodine nutritional status and prevalence of goitre among school going children: a cross-sectional study to assess progress towards universal salt iodization in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been a major public health challenge for the Indian subcontinent over many years. Our study was conducted in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, an iodine deficiency disorders-endemic district, with the objective to estimate total goitre rate and iodine nutrition status. A cross-sectional study with 30 cluster sampling was conducted between June to July 2016 among school-going children in the age group of 6-12 years. Ninety children from each school (30x90=2700) were selected for the assessment of Goitre. Total 540 salt samples and 270 urine samples were collected to estimate salt iodine content from their house-hold and urine iodine excretion (UIE) respectively. A total of 150 households and 30 shopkeepers were interviewed to understand the awareness level for salt iodization. Goitre rate in Tikamgarh district was 1.9% with prevalence of grade I & II was 1.7% and 0.2% respectively. The median UIE level was 200 mcg/L. The 20% the population had iodine deficiency, 28.9% population had adequate iodine nutrition and 51.1% population had either more than adequate level of iodine. The 72.4% of the population consume adequately iodized salt (>=15 ppm). Our study concludes that Tikamgarh district is non-endemic for IDDs against the earlier classification as an IDD-endemic district. About 20% population has 'iodine deficiency' and approximately 51.1% population has 'more than adequate iodine intake'. We recommend stringent programme monitoring, undertake periodic assessment of IDD and explore manifestations of excess iodine intake (>=300 mcg/L) such as Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism in future.

Determination of Reference Intervals of Ratios of Concentrations of Urinary Iodine to Creatinine and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Pregnant Women Consuming Adequate Iodine in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

The objectives of this study were to explore reference intervals of ratios of concentrations of urinary iodine to creatinine (UIC/UCr) in pregnant women, to determine specific reference intervals for thyroid hormone concentrations (FT3, FT4, TSH) in the first trimester of pregnancy, and provide a comprehensive evaluation of iodine nutritional status and thyroid function. Cross-sectional data analysis, including questionnaires and thyroid ultrasonograms, were used to exclude subjects who had a history of thyroid disease, a family history of thyroid disease, or thyroid morphological abnormalities. Tests of thyroid hormone were evaluated together with urinary iodine concentration (UIC), urinary creatinine concentration (UCr), and salt iodine concentration in pregnant women. For the sample of pregnant women eligible for inclusion, the 95% reference intervals of the bilateral limits of UIC/UCr and thyroid hormone concentrations in pregnant women were determined by the percentile method. Pregnant women were recruited in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, a particular geographical area of China, where iodine nutrition is adequate. The median UIC was 141.47μg/L, while the median UIC/UCr was 141.12μg/g. The reference intervals of thyroid hormone concentrations in the first trimester were FT3 3.63-6.12pmol/L, FT4 11.89-22.91pmol/L, and TSH 0.013-3.814mIU/L. The reference intervals of UIC/UCr were 52.47 to 532.09μg/g (first trimester 47.25-353.91μg/g, second trimester 57.95-639.08μg/g, third trimester 46.98-494.73μg/g).The established UIC/UCr medical reference intervals and thyroid hormone concentration reference intervals may be used for iodine nutritional assessment and thyroid disease screening in pregnant women.

Effectiveness of increased salt iodine concentration on iodine status: trend analysis of cross-sectional national studies in Switzerland.

Despite longstanding voluntary salt iodisation in Switzerland, data suggest inadequate iodine intake in vulnerable population groups. In response, the salt iodine concentration was increased from 20 to 25mg/kg and we assessed the impact on iodine status. We conducted a cross-sectional national study in school-age children (n = 731), women of reproductive age (n = 353) and pregnant women (n = 363). We measured urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and urinary sodium concentration (UNaC) in spot urine samples. The current median UIC was compared with national data from 1999, 2004 and 2009. We measured TSH, total T4 and thyroglobulin (Tg) on dried blood spot samples collected in women. The median UIC (bootstrapped 95% CI) was 137µg/L (131, 143µg/L) in school children, 88µg/L (72, 103µg/L) in women of reproductive age and 140µg/L (124, 159µg/L) in pregnant women. Compared to 2009, the median UIC increased modestly in school children (P < 0.001), but did not significantly change in pregnant women (P = 0.417). Estimated sodium intake exceeded the recommendations in all population groups. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in women was low, but Tg was elevated in 13% of the pregnant women. Iodine intake is overall adequate in Swiss school-age children, but only borderline sufficient in pregnant and non-pregnant women, despite high salt intakes and satisfactory household coverage with iodized salt. Our findings suggest increasing the concentration of iodine in salt may not improve iodine intakes in women if iodised salt is not widely used in processed foods. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02312466.

Poor Iodine Knowledge, Coastal Region, and Non-Iodized Salt Consumption Linked to Low Urinary Iodine Excretion in Zhejiang Pregnant Women.

Background: Iodine deficiency in pregnant women, defined as a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of less than 150 μg/L, is an important public health issue. To improve their iodine intake, it is important to understand the knowledge and practices regarding iodine. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 2642 pregnant women during 2016–2017 in Zhejiang province, China. A 3-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to record knowledge. The UIC and iodine content in household salt were determined. Results: Coastal participants were iodine deficient (median UIC 127.6 μg/L) while inland participants were iodine sufficient (median UIC 151.0 μg/L). The average knowledge scores were significantly lower for the coastal participants (24.2 points vs. 25 points for the inland participants; p < 0.001). The percentage for iodized salt consumption was significantly lower for the coastal participants (88.9% vs. 96.0% for those inland; p < 0.001). A generalized linear model analysis showed that non-iodized salt consumption, coastal region, and low knowledge scores were independently associated with a low UIC. Conclusions: Comprehensive interventional strategies are needed to develop to achieve an optimal iodine status. We recommend that coastal pregnant women should take iodine supplements based on the consumption of iodized salt, and improvement of iodine-related knowledge.

Effect of Reduction in Iodine Content of Edible Salt on the Iodine Status of the Chinese Population

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the revised Chinese National Standard GB26878-2011 ‘Iodine Content in Edible Salt’ on the iodine status among the Chinese population. MethodsIn 2011 and 2014, the probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) was used in each Chinese province to obtain the representative data. In each sampling unit, school children aged 8-10 years and pregnant women were selected. Key indicators included urinary iodine concentration (UIC), thyroid volume (TV), and the iodine content in edible household salt. ResultsThe median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) decreased between 2011 and 2014 from 238.6 to 197.9 µg/L in school-age children. The number of provinces with iodine excess decreased to zero. The proportion of children whose UIC was > 300 µg/L was 18.8% and decreased to 11% compared with 29.8% in 2011. There was no significant difference in UIC < 50 µg/L between 2014 (4.3%) and 2011 (3.7%) (P > 0.05). The MUIC among pregnant women in 2014 was more concentrated between 110 and 230 µg/L. The goiter rate among children aged 8-10 years was unchanged, both the goiter rate of 2011 and 2014 remaining below 5%, in view of the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. ConclusionThe National Standard GB26878-2011 ‘Iodine Content in Edible Salt’ that was introduced in March 2012 resulted in an overall improvement in iodine status, reducing the risk of excessive iodine intake in the Chinese population.

Socioeconomic status of the population - a prime determinant in evaluating iodine nutritional status even in a post salt iodization scenario.

Background To compare the state of iodine nutrition among school age children (SAC) in high- (HSGs) and low-socioeconomic groups (LSGs) during a post iodation scenario in Kolkata. Methods Clinical examinations of the goiter, median urinary iodine (MUI), mean urinary thiocyanate (MUSCN) in SAC (6-12 years) from both sexes in the different socioeconomic groups were carried out and the iodine content of edible salt was measured. Results A total of 5315 SAC, of which 2875 SAC were from a HSG and another 2440 SAC from an LSG were clinically examined for goiter. In the HSGs the total goiter prevalence (TGP) was 3.2% and in the LSGs the TGP was 9.1% and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The MUI of the HSGs was 242 μg/L as compared to 155 μg/L in the LSGs (p<0.001). MUSCN of the HSGs was 0.77±0.45 mg/dL while in the LSGs it was 0.94±0.44 mg/dL and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). In the HSGs 19.4% salt samples had 15-30 ppm iodine and 80.6% salt samples were above 30 ppm as compared to 26.3% salt samples which were below 15 ppm, 37.1% salt samples which were between 15 and 30 ppm and 36.6% salt samples which were above 30 ppm in the LSGs. Conclusions The population of the LSGs was clinically mildly iodine deficient having no biochemical iodine deficiency while in the HSGs it was more than the adequate requirement and the HSG children are possibly at risk of excess iodine induced thyroid diseases. Existing goiter prevalence in the LSGs was from their relatively high consumption of dietary goitrogens. Therefore, socioeconomic status plays a pivotal role in the management of iodine nutrition even in a post salt iodation scenario.

Évaluation de la teneur en iode des sels alimentaires dans la commune de Kara au Togo

Évaluation de la teneur en iode des sels alimentaires dans la commune de Kara au Togo

Teneur en iode et qualité des sels alimentaires commercialisés dans la région de Djelfa

Introduction. L’Algérie, à l’instar des autres pays, a adhéré au programme universel d’iodation de sel initié par l’OMS dans le but d’éliminer les troubles dus à la carence en iode (TCI). Le pourcentage de ménages consommant du sel adéquatement iodé a chuté ces dernières années et a touché beaucoup plus la classe des pauvres. Objectif. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer la teneur en iode des sels alimentaires commercialisés dans une région steppique centrale de l’Algérie et d’estimer le degré de respect du programme d’iodation du sel. Matériel et méthodes. Au total 45 échantillons de sel alimentaires commercialisés dans la localité de Djelfa ont été analysés. Ces échantillons proviennent de neuf marques différentes. Les analyses physicochimiques ont porté sur le dosage de la teneur en iode par titrage iodométrique, dosage de la teneur en NaCl, détermination des matières insolubles et de l’humidité. Résultats. Les résultats obtenus montrent que la teneur en iode varie d’un échantillon à l’autre (p<0,05) et que 77,78% des échantillons sont considérés comme non conforme à la législation Algérienne en vigueur fixée entre 50,55 et 84,25 mg/kg de sel. Cette fraction renferme deux groupes, un exempt d’iode ou du moins à très faible concentration, l’autre, bien que iodé, accuse un déficit important en cet élément (p<0,01). Tous les échantillons sont conformes eu regard des autres paramètres excepté pour le NaCl où seulement 44,44% des échantillons sont déclarés conformes. L’analyse de la variance montre que tous les paramètres dépendent significativement de l’échantillon testé. Conclusion. Cette étude doit être confortée avec une étude épidémiologique concernant la prévalence des TCI toute en la généralisant à d’autres régions et en essayant de trouver des liens entre la prévalence de ces derniers et la teneur en iode des sels commercialisés. Toute généralisation, à ce stade s’avère hasardeuse.

Iodine status, and knowledge about iodine deficiency disorders in adolescent school girls aged 14-19 years, 2016.

Background: Adequate iodine intake by women in child-bearing age affects fetus neurodevelopment during pregnancy. A majority of previous studies has investigated iodine status among children, and there is limited data on female adolescents who are more exposed to consequences of iodine deficiency (ID) in their near-future pregnancies; thus, we aimed to assess iodine status, and knowledge on iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) among adolescent school girls (14-19 years old) in Shahriar, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 female students selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from 12 schools. Iodine and creatinine concentrations were measured in casual urine samples. Iodine content of household salts was also assessed.Data on intake of salt and iodine-rich food sources were collected applying a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and knowledge about iodine and IDDs were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: Median and Mean (95% CI) concentrations of urinary iodine and creatinine were 129 µg/L, 137.62 µg/L (95% CI: 126.28, 148.95) and 1.72 g/L, 1.86 g/L (95% CI: 0.55-3.17),respectively. The frequency of mild, moderate and severe ID were 22.4%, 14.3% and 0%,respectively; 43.5% had adequate, and 3.1% had excessive urinary iodine levels. Mean saltiodine concentration was 21.69 (SD=10.56) ppm. Mean knowledge score was 12.7 (SD=3.44).About half of the students had a poor (25.1%) or fair (24.2%) knowledge about iodine deficiency.Adjusting for the confounders, no significant positive association was found between knowledge about iodine-rich food sources and goitrogens with urinary iodine excretion. Conclusion: Adolescent girls in Shahriar had relatively poor knowledge of iodine, and about one third of them suffered from ID.

Availability of adequately iodised salt at household level and its associated factors in Robe town, Bale Zone, South East Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Iodine is a micronutrient required by the body in small amounts to prevent iodine deficiency disorder (IDD), which is a global public health concern. There were no specific data at household level of adequately iodised salt in the study area. Thus this study aimed to assess availability of adequately iodised salt and its associated factors at household level in Bale-Robe, South East Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Robe town, Bale Zone, South East Ethiopia in April 2015. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires from a total of 367 households, which were identified through systematic random sampling. Salt iodine content was estimated using rapid testing kits at the household level. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the prevalence, and association between dependent and independent variables was computed by using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Of 374 samples, 370 respondents were interviewed yielding a response rate of 99%. One-third (32.7%) of the household levels used adequately iodised salt. Respondents’ educational status, exposure to information on how to handle iodised salt and type of salt used by the respondents were independent factors for availability of adequately iodised salt at the household level. Salt that had been stored in a dry place was twice as likely to have an adequate iodine content compared with salt stored in a high-moisture area or near a fire (AOR = 2.13, CI = 1.19–3.72). Conclusion: Availability of adequately iodised salt at the household level was very low. Factors that were associated with household levels’ access to adequately iodised salt included educational level, age of the respondents and place where salt is stored, and had an effect on whether households iodise salt adequately. Strategies to educate residents regarding the appropriate storage conditions to minimise iodine losses in iodised salt are required in Bale-Robe district of South East Ethiopia.

Iodine status five years after the mandatory salt iodization legislation indicates above requirement: a cross sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundIodine deficiency is one of a major nutritional problem. The study aimed to assess the iodine status of populations in Dabat district using median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in school-age children (6–12 years) and compared the results with goiter prevalence.MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted in Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia in May 2016. Spot urine samples were used for the determination of UIC. Manual examination of the thyroid gland was performed to assess presence of goiter. The MBI international Rapid Test Kits (RTK) were used to determine the level of salt iodine content. Children aged 6–12 years were recruited from schools using a multistage stratified sampling. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean of log-transformed UIC values among key variables. Significant was determined at P-value less than 0.05.ResultsA total of 358 school age children enrolled to the study. The mean age of children was 10.8((Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.45) years and 56.7% were males. The median UIC was 235 μg/l ((Inter Quartile Range (IQR): 161, 320]. Excessive iodine intake and inadequate iodine intake was observed on 29.1 and 8.7% of school aged children, respectfully. The coverage of iodized salt use in school-age children were 66.8%. The UIC was higher in urban children than rural counterparts and in those used adequately iodised salt than inadequately iodized salt (P < 0.05). Thirty-four percent of school-age children had a goiter. The prevalence of grade 1 and grade 2 goiter was 26.5 and 7.5%, respectively. There was a poor agreement between UIC and goiter (k = 0.1) in classifying iodine status of populations.ConclusionsThe study population is classified as above requirements by median UIC in school-age children but severe iodine deficiency by goiter prevalence. Further research investigating the agreement between UIC and goiter prevalence in classifying iodine status of populations with various iodine status is warranted.

Iodine status of children and knowledge, attitude, practice of iodised salt use in a remote community in Kerema district, Gulf province, Papua New Guinea.

Iodine deficiency is the single most common cause of preventable mental impairment in communities with suboptimal iodine intake. Objective of the present study was to assess in more detail the iodine status and knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) relating to use of iodised salt in a remote community in Kotidanga area, Kerema district, Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. This prospective school and community based cross-sectional study was carried out in 2017. Simple random sampling was used to select schools. Multistage sampling was used to randomly select 300 children aged 6 to 12 years, of which 289 consented to participate in the study. A single urine sample was collected from each of the consenting children, as well as a salt sample from their households. Discretionary salt intake was assessed in a sub-sample of the children’s households. Salt iodine content and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) were analysed. A semi-structured modified Food and Agriculture Organisation questionnaire was used to assess KAP of three different community groups. Only 64% of households had salt on the day of data collection. Mean iodine content in household salt samples was 29.0 ± 19.1 ppm. Iodine content was below 30.0 ppm in 54.8% and below 15.0 ppm in 31.2% of salt samples. Mean per capita discretionary intake of household salt was 2.9 ± 1.8 g/day. Median UIC was 25.5 μg/L and Interquartile Range was 15.0 to 47.5 μg/L, indicating moderate status iodine nutrition. Median UIC was 34.3 μg/L for children in households with salt, compared to 15.5 μg/L for children in households without salt, indicating severe iodine deficiency in the latter group. The three community groups had limited knowledge about importance of using iodised salt and consequences of iodine deficiency on health outcomes. This remote community has limited access to adequately iodised household salt due to high cost, inappropriate packaging, storage and food preparation, resulting in iodine deficiency. Strategies to increase iodine intake are needed.

Monitoring of salt iodisation programme in Iran; Health outcomes, shortages and perspective

Iodine deficiency disorders include a wide range of metabolic and nonmetabolic disorders including goiter. To control IDDs, the World Health Organization and responsible agencies in countries established daily iodine uptake. Almost all the countries in the world provide the required iodine through salt iodisation. IDDs are not completely eradicable, so monitoring the salt iodisation programme is necessary for control of IDDs. In Iran, a salt iodisation programme was started in 1996. In this study, we took salt samples from all legally produced salt brands in Iran in 30 provinces and measured iodine concentration. The results of the monitoring programme for iodine concentration in schoolchildren’s urine was used to compare accessibility to iodized salts and health outcomes. The results show that more than 80% of available salts have a suitable or acceptable concentration of iodine. Despite large variance in iodine concentration in available salt in some provinces, the median of iodine concentration in salts is within an acceptable range. Also, the urinary concentration of iodine (national median = 161) confirms that shortage of iodine intake is very low in Iran. The high rate of salt consumption of the Iranian people also has a significant effect on iodine uptake, but can lead to hyperthyroidism and hypertension that must be controlled.