Iodine Status of School-children (8-10 years) and Associated Factors in Arumeru District, Tanzania

Abstract

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in January 2003 to assess iodine status of school-children and associated factors in Arumeru District, Arusha Region, Tanzania. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 100 households having school-children aged 8-10 years to seek information on socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, knowledge and practices of the parents in relation to iodine nutrition. From a sub-sample of 50 households, 50 salt samples used in the homes were coliected for iodine determination and 50 fasting morning urine samples were collected from the school-children for determination of urinary iodine concentration. Results of the study showed that median urinary iodine concentration of the school-children was 49.17 I1g/ L (range: 16.27 - 206.05 I1g/ L). Prevalence of mild iodine deficiency was 400%, moderate iodine deficiency 42%, and severe deficiency 8% of the sampled school-children. Majority (74%) of parents had heard of JDD and iodine (76%), but few (40%-44%) knew food sources of iodine and that goitre was caused by iodine deficiency. Almost all (96%) household salt samples were adequately iodated. Frequency of consuming selected iodine-rich foods by the children was low. while consumption of some goitrogen-containing foods was relatively high- It is concluded that inadequate knowledge regarding iodine nutrition, low consumption of iodine-rich foods coupled with high consumption of goitrogen-containing Joods are the main contributing factors to iodine deficiency in the district. National JDD Control Programme should strengthen partnership with stakeholders such as district councils, salt processing industries and distributors, civic groups, and media organizations to deliver tailored iodine nutrition messages that provide the public with a solid foundation for behaviour change.

Keywords: iodine nutrition, school-children, knowledge, practices, Tanzania

Tanzania J.Agric.Sc. (2007) Vol. 8 No.2, 127 -140