Familial tendency and dietary association of goitre in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the familial tendency and dietary association of goitre.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components.


METHODS
Goma-Gofa, south Ethiopia.


METHODS
Five hundred and ninety seven elementary school children aged 6-18 years and their biological parents.


RESULTS
Prevalence of goitre was found to be 51.7% of which 21.7% was visible goitre. The mean urinary iodine extraction levels indicated adequate dietary intake of iodine by the study group. A significant association (p < 0.001) was established for familial tendency of goitre between parents and their children. Consumption of halleko (Moringa stenopetala), a leafy vegetable common in the study area, of more than two times per day was significantly (p < 0.005) associated with causation of goitre.


CONCLUSIONS
These results strongly suggest that goitre prevalence in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia is due to familial tendency as well as dietary factors.
Abuye
C
C
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Omwega
A M
AM
Imungi
J K
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects
D007455:Iodine