Iodine deficiency has been reported to affect a large number of people in Ethiopia.
Although significant progress against iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been
reported worldwide, millions of people remain with insufficient iodine intake.
Multiple factors may contribute to iodine deficiency. Hence, the objective of this
study was to investigate iodine deficiency and dietary intake of iodine. A crosssectional
survey design was used to assess urinary iodine concentration (UIC), goiter
and dietary intake of iodine in a sample of 202 non-pregnant women living in three
rural communities of Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia. Urinary iodine concentration
was analyzed using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, goiter was assessed using palpation
and dietary source of iodine was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Data
were analyzed using selected descriptive and analytical statistical measures with SAS
software. Mean (SD) age, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and body mass
index [BMI - Wt
(kg)/(Ht
(m))
2] were 30.8 (7.9) y, 24.8(2.5) cm and 20 (2.2)
respectively. Median UIC was 37.2 μg/L. Participants with UIC <20 μg/L, classified
as severely iodine deficient were 22.8%; 46.5% had UIC between 20 to <50 μg/L,
classified as moderately iodine deficient, and 27.2 % had UIC in the mild deficiency
range of 50 to <100 μg/L. Only 3.5% of the women had UIC ≥ 100 μg/L. The total
goiter rate was 15.9%, which was 1.5% visible and 14.4% palpable goiter. A majority
of the participants consumed Enset (
E. ventricosum
), corn and kale frequently and
meat was consumed rarely. None of the participants reported ever consuming iodized
salt or ever having heard about use of iodized salt. Adjacent communities (Alamura,
Tullo and Finchawa) showed significant differences in UIC, goiter rate and frequency
of fish and dairy consumption. The findings of the present study revealed that iodine
status of the population is a significant public health problem. Hence, there is a need
to supply iodized salt in order to achieve the goal of elimination of iodine deficiency
disorders in the community.
