title: Assessment of iodine status among pregnant women in a rural community in ghana - a cross sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy is associated with parallel increase in both iodine, and thyroid hormone requirements suggesting that, there may be the need for additional iodine intake during this period to prevent potential iodine insufficiency. Medically, an excess or reduced intake of this micronutrient has negative effects on the individual's health. This study aimed at identifying the pattern of iodine levels among pregnant women at Kissi, Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out among pregnant women on antenatal care at Kissi Health Centre (KHC) which serves the rural town with a population of about 4,500, located in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem (KEEA) municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Demographic information, iodated salt usage and other pertinent information such as tobacco use were captured using a questionnaire. In addition, urine iodine concentration was estimated through the Ammonium per sulfate method after collecting on-the-spot urine samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of iodine deficiency in pregnant women was 42.5 %. Of the 80 participants who were on iodized salt, only 16.25 % had mild iodine deficiency with none suffering from moderate or severe iodine deficiency. Of the 40 participants who did not use iodized salt, 35 %, 30 %, and 30 % suffered from severe, moderate and mild iodine deficiency respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of iodine deficiency reported in this study suggests that urgent national measures are required to correct iodine insufficiency in pregnant women in these communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Simpong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adu
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bashiru
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Martin T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Morna
authors.affiliation: Ghana Energy Commission, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Francis A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Yeboah
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Kafui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akakpo
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Richard K D
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ephraim
keywords: Ammonium persulfate; Deficiency; Iodine; Pregnant women