Determining the Iodine Content in Salt and Factors Affecting its Utilization at the Household Level in the Urban Field Practice Area of a Medical College, Gangtok

Mr.Divij Sharma; Dr. Dechenla Tshering Bhutia

Volume : X, Issue : VII, July - 2020

Determining the Iodine Content in Salt and Factors Affecting its Utilization at the Household Level in the Urban Field Practice Area of a Medical College, Gangtok

Mr. Divij Sharma, Dr. Dechenla Tshering Bhutia

Abstract :

Background: Iodine is an essential micronutrient normal human growth and development and the most efficacious long term public intervention for attaining ideal iodine nutrition is salt iodization. Effective salt iodization is a pre–requisite for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. The study aimed to determine the iodine content of salt used in households utilizing the rapid iodine testing kit with a view to determine number of households using adequately iodized salt i.e. ≥ 15 PPM and assess the practices of people in households with respect to storage and utilization of adequately iodized salt. Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted at urban field practice area where a total of 200 households were surveyed. Pretested semi–structured questionnaire was administered and salt was tested for iodine content using MBI kit. The respondents were asked questions regarding salt purchasing, awareness of iodized salt, consumption habits, salt storage, and iodine deficiency diseases. Result: 88.5% are covered with adequately iodized salt. 26.5% salt was not stored in closed containers in the household, so exposing it to moisture, heat & sunlight. Family size (P value=0.036), type of salt bought (P =0.035), exposure of salt to sunlight (Chi–square value–10.87, P<0.001) place (Chi–square value–25.5, P<0.001), and type of container used for storage of salt (Chi–square value–13.83 P <0.001) were significantly associated with the poor content of iodized salt at home.91% households used packed salt however 28.5% had not heard about packed salt. Conclusion: There should be and regulatory enforcement of salt iodization and regular quality control at household level.