Background Goiter is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Even though there were studies done on goiter in Ethiopia, there was little evidence in the eastern part of the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of goiter and its associated factors among school-age children in Anchar district of Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 13 to 30, 2017. Multistage sampling method was used to select 418 children aged 6–12 years. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Children were examined for the presence or absence of goiter based on the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Salt samples were tested using a rapid test kit. Data were entered to EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted; Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were computed. Level of significance was determined at p-value less than 0.05. Results The total goiter prevalence rate was 51.8% (CI: 46.9%, 56.8%). Father’s education (AOR = 1.87, CI: 1.06, 3.30), type of salt used (AOR = 2.09, CI: 1.13, 3.88), iodine level of salt (AOR = 2.77, CI: 1.11, 6.89), frequency of milk consumption (AOR = 3.65, CI: 1.63, 8.20), frequency of cabbage consumption (AOR = 7.74, CI: 4.48, 13.39), eating status of eggs (AOR = 3.16, CI: 1.54, 6.50), and eating status of dark green vegetables/fruits (AOR = 2.14, CI: 1.17, 3.93) were factors associated with goiter among school-age children. Conclusions The total goiter prevalence rate was very high. Therefore, the health and education sectors of the study area should work hand in hand to improve the awareness of the community about goiter, iodized salt and iodine rich foods.
BackgroundIodine deficiency is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Most of the studies in Ethiopia were done on clinical goiter without assessing the subclinical iodine deficiency. Therefore, there was a need to study the magnitude and associated factors of iodine deficiency among school-age children in Eastern Ethiopia.Subjects and methodsA school-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the iodine level of 200 primary school children aged 6–12 years who were selected by using the multistage sampling technique. The study used an interview-administered questionnaire and checklists to collect data from the respondents. Data were entered to EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted, and statistical significance was declared at p value ≤0.05.ResultsThe median urinary iodine concentration of the children was 146 µg/L, and 31% had median urinary iodine concentration below the acceptable level (<100 µg/L). Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.12, 95% CI: 1.52, 6.39), family size ≥5 (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.75), having no awareness of a balanced diet (AOR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.37, 7.71), and cabbage consumption ≥2 times per week (AOR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.93) were the significant associated factors.Conclusion and recommendationEthiopia is implementing the universal iodization of salt. However, urinary iodine deficiency and utilization of inadequately iodized salt were high in the study area. Therefore, the health sectors of the study site should disseminate messages to increase the awareness on iodized salt, iodine-rich foods, and goiterogens.
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