Study On Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorder and Salt Consumption Pattern in Patan District, Gujarat

Rakesh Shah, B.S. Bhavsar, Mitesh Patel and Deependra Sharma

Swet-Deep”, R. R. Shah & Co., Near ESI Dispensary, Behind Old Wadaj Bus-stand, Old Wadaj, Ahmedabad - 380 013 (India).

ABSTRACT: Iodine Deficiency Disorders are one of the most severe form of micronutrient deficiency which superimposes it’s harmful effects on the productivity and vitality of our society. The social impact of iodine deficiency arises not so much from goiter as from the effect on the central nervous system. Objective: 1) To study prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorder in Patan district 2) To estimate iodine deficiency by urinary excretion method and 3) To assess the salt consumption pattern in the region. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Methods and Material: As per protocol children of School age was the study population for the IDD survey. Study carried out in rural population only, city and urban area excluded from study. School children aged 6 to 13 years were selected as target group. Goiter prevalence, iodized salt and urinary iodine excretion in the target group were used as outcome variable. Goiter was assessed by palpation method and urine samples were collected from them. From every cluster, 20 salt samples were collected from School Children’s home. Salt samples were tested for Iodine content on the spot. Results: An overall goiter prevalence of 7.5% was observed in the region. Female had a prevalence of 7.8% and males 7.1%. The median urinary iodine excretion in the Patan district was 83.75 μg / L. 45.5% of house hold consume salt having I2 content of greater than 15 ppm. Conclusion: Iodine deficiency remains a public health problem in the region and there is need of further strengthening the system of monitoring the quality of iodized salt being used by the population of the state.

KEYWORDS: Goiter; urinary Iodine; prevalence; iodized salt.

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