Poor dietary diversity, wealth status and use of un-iodized salt are associated with goiter among school children: a cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, more than two billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency disorders, 32% of which are school children. Iodine deficiency has been recognized as a severe public health concern in Ethiopia, however little is known about the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of goiter and associated factors among school children (6 to 12 years) in Dabat District, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 21 to March 31, 2016. A total of 735 school children were included in the study. A stratified multistage sampling followed by systematic sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Thyroid physical examination was done and classified according to the World Health Organization recommendations as grade 0, grade 1, and grade 2. The level of salt iodine content was determined using the rapid field test kit. The value 0 parts per million (PPM), <15 PPM and ≥15 PPM with the corresponding color chart on the rapid test kit were used to classify the level of iodine in the sampled salt. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with goiter. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of association. In multivariable analysis, variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsIn this community, the overall prevalence of goiter was 29.1% [95% CI: 25.9, 32.6], in which about 22.4 and 6.7% had goiter grade 1 and grade 2, respectively. The age of children (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.26), being housewife mother (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.15), use of unprotected well water source for drinking (AOR = 6.25; 95% CI: 2.50, 15.66), medium household wealth status (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.92), use of inadequately iodized salt (AOR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.86, 4.19), poor dietary diversity score of the child (AOR = 1.92;95% CI: 1.06, 3.48) and medium maternal knowledge (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.94) were significantly associated with goiter.ConclusionsThe prevalence of goiter is higher in Dabat District, which confirmed a moderate public health problem. Therefore, regular monitoring of household salt iodine content, improving access to safe water, promoting the importance of diversified food for children is recommended to address the higher burden of iodine deficiency.

Magnitude of iodine deficiency disorder and associated factors in Dawro zone, southwest Ethiopia; the hidden hunger: a cross-sectional study

“…In this study setting, the prevalence of goiter was found to be 54.6 %, confirming that it is an endemic and severe public health problem. The finding was in line with the reported prevalence of Burie and Womberma district in Ethiopia (54.5%) [23], but higher than the reports from northwest Ethiopia, Metekel zone (39.5%) [26] and Dabat district (29.1%) [27].…”

“…The other reason could be related to the time of study. Those studies conducted in other parts of Ethiopia and cited here [26,27] were done after the implementation of USI program in the country in 2011. Therefore; the program implementation and enforcement might have contributed to the reduction of goiter prevalence in some accessible areas of the country.…”

“…As indicated by national community based survey of 2007, the weighted total goitre prevalence was 35.8% and the median UIC level was less than 100μg/l in all regions of the country [20]. Even though, IGN by its global scorecard of iodine nutrition of 2017 categorized the country as ''adequate'' in iodine intake at national level [21], several recently conducted sub-national studies revealed that the country is iodine deficient [22][23][24][25][26][27]. In addition the availability of adequately iodized salt at household level was low [28].…”

Nutritional status vis-a-vis iodine deficiency in children of "Save Our Soul"children’s village in rural Varanasi: a micro-level study

“…3 out of 10 children) (Abebe et al). 17 Contrary to this, lower figures of IDD was reported in a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, (Al Dakheel, et al). 18 Abuye et al, in Ethiopia, reported 23% higher prevalence of Goiter among children of low income family than the family having higher income.…”

Asupan Energi dan Protein Berhubungan dengan Gizi Kurang pada Anak Usia 6-24 Bulan

“…Hal ini sejalan dengan penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Abebe et al pada tahun 2017 di Ethiopia yang menunjukkan bahwa tidak terdapat hubungan antara besar keluarga dan pekerjaan orangtua dengan kejadian GAKY pada anak usia sekolah 10 . Penelitian lain yang dilakukan oleh Hariyanti dan Indrawati pada tahun 2013 di Kabupaten Ngawi menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada hubungan antara pendidikan orangtua dengan kejadian GAKY pada anak usia sekolah 11 .…”