Urinary iodine excretion in relation to goiter prevalence in households of goiter endemic and nonendemic regions of Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract: A base line survey of goitre prevalence, among population of five endemic and four nonedemic regions of Ethiopia was carried out prior to the distribution of iodated salt. Urine samples were collected from 327 subjects selected by systematic random sampling from endemic and 276 subjects in sites taken as nonendemic. The lowest mean urinary iodine excretion (UIE) value was recorded in Bure (22 jJgi/day) and the highest in Alemmaya ( 148 jJgi/day). The highest total giotre rate (% TGR) was recorded in Sawla (55.6%) and the lowest (0.6%) in Yabello. Iodine content of drinking water was in the range 0. 0.4- 48.5 jJgi. Iodine content of water source was correlated positively (r = 0.8399) with the mean UIE in all study sites. The relationship between UIE and TGR, however, indicates that sites considered as nonendemic seem to be affected by iodine deficiency. The present study results urge the need for intervention in controling Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). [Ethiop. J. Health Dev.1995;9(1):111-116]