Determination of urinary iodine excretion to assess iodine deficiency level and iodine intake in primary school children, Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem all over the world, particularly among preschool children and pregnant women in low-income countries like Ethiopia and it is known to be the most common cause of preventable brain damage.


OBJECTIVE
to determine urinary iodine concentration and to assess the level of iodine deficiency disorders.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 386 randomly selected primary school children to determine urinary iodine concentrations as to assess level of iodine deficiency and iodine in take in Bahir Dar town.


RESULTS
Median urinary iodine excretion was 58.8 mg/L (12.89 mg/L to 564.5 mg/L) which indicated the presence of mild iodine deficiency. Eighty seven percent of the children had urinary iodine excretion of below 100 mg/L and the intake of iodine was below 150 mg/day.


CONCLUSIONS
Mild iodine deficiency disorder was found in Bahir Dar primary school children, Iodine intake was also found insufficient. Therefore, use of salt ionization should be advocated and strengthened.
Bezabih
Belay
B
Reigion 3 Health Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 641, Bahir Dar.
Assefa
Yihun
Y
Yismaw
Gizachew
G
Mulu
Andargachew
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000652:urine*; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students
D017613:Iodine Compounds; D007455:Iodine