Variation in iodine concentration of salt at the local level following national salt iodization in Ethiopia (804.31)

Abstract

Ethiopia launched a salt iodization program in 2011. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of iodine in salt 2 years after the national proclamation that all salt for human consumption should be iodized. Salt samples were collected from 193 randomly selected households in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia. The study participants were from farming communities where more than two‐thirds of the families were subsistence farmers. Iodine concentration of salt was analyzed using a portable digital electronic iodine checker (WYD, UNICEF) and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Correlation between the analyses was 0.69 (p<0.001). Mean (±SEM) iodine concentration using the digital iodine checker was 7.8 (8.0) ppm and by ICP‐MS was 9.8 (8.6) ppm. The recommended salt iodine concentration at the household level should be 15 to 40 ppm, but in this survey varied from 0 to 41.1 ppm; only 21% of households had >15 ppm. Salt samples from 10 retail shops and open markets had a mean iodine concentration of 5.3 (4.0) ppm with a range from 0 to 10.9 ppm which was far below the recommended retail level of 20‐40 ppm. The results indicate that salt may not be homogenously or adequately iodized and/or storage and handling may not be appropriate. Hence a strong monitoring strategy from production to household level for Ethiopia’s salt iodization program is of great importance. Grant Funding Source: Supported by Nestlé Foundation and Oklahoma State University