Current status of iodine deficiency in northeast india
1. CURRENT STATUS OF IODINE
DEFICIENCY IN NORTHEAST
INDIA
Longvah T., Naidu N., Rao P.A.,
Das H.K.*, Prasanna T.P.
National Institute of Nutrition
Indian Council of Medical Research
Jamai-Osmania PO
Hyderabad - 500 007
* Regional Medical Research Centre
Indian Council of Medical Research
Dibrugarh - 786 001
3. 1.To assess the iodine nutiture of the population
2.To evaluate the implementation and impact of
salt iodization
programme in the region
OBJECTIVES
4. Methodology
Selection of villages/towns was carried out by the thirty cluster
sampling method (PPS) as recommended by WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD
(1992).
In each cluster 100 households were covered for KAP studies.
Clinical examination of goiter was carried out as per the WHO
criteria (0,I,II).
Urine and salt sampling was carried out from every tenth
household. Iodine in urine samples was estimated by the wet
digestion method as described by Dunn, J. T. et al (1993). Iodine
in common salt was estimated by standard titration method.
Breast milk sampling was carried out from lactating mothers
encountered during the survey. Iodine content of breast milk was
estimated by the method of Gokmen, I.G. & Dagh, G. (1995).
5. Age groups (years)%State Sex n
0-5 yrs 6-12 yrs 12-18 yrs >18 yrs
Male 7167 16.3 25.1 12.6 46.0
Female 8546 13.0 21.9 12.9 52.2Sikkim
Total 15713 14.5 23.4 12.7 49.4
Male 6311 28.2 26.5 11.7 33.6
Female 8032 22.5 22.3 12.4 42.8Meghalaya
Total 14343 25.0 24.2 12.1 38.7
Male 6026 18.4 28.7 17.1 35.7
Female 6672 14.7 25.1 17.5 42.7Arunachal
Pradesh
Total 12698 16.5 26.8 17.3 39.4
Population distribution by age groups
6. State Sikkim Meghalaya Arunachal
Pradesh
Goiter
awareness %
Yes
No
52.7
47.3
37.6
62.4
67.0
33.0
Goiter
prevention %
Using iodized salt
Consulting doctor
Not aware
18.9
5.4
75.7
11.3
1.4
87.3
33.7
0.3
66.0
Point of salt
purchase %
Village itself
Nearby town
49.1
50.9
74.5
25.5
90.5
9.5
Frequency of
purchase %
Fortnightly
Monthly
Others
33.3
49.9
16.8
8.5
88.0
3.5
23.5
68.5
8.0
Salt Type % Powder
Crystalline
62.5
37.5
62.8
37.2
83.6
16.4
Package % Plastic bag
Loose*
Gunny bag
51.7
24.4
23.9
64.5
16.3
19.2
85.8
11.7
2.6
Storage % Plastic/bottle jars
Bamboo jars
Others*
85.9
14.0
0.1
74.8
9.0
-
55.8
41.4
2.8
Container % Closed
Open
60.9
38.7
66.3
33.7
73.5
26.5
KAP GOITER & SALT
14. CONCLUSIONS
•Household salt iodine content shows that the universal salt
iodization programmme has been effectively implemented in
the states studied
•Iodine nutrition has improved markedly in Sikkim but UIE
shows that iodine deficiency still exist.
•Arunachal Pradesh is in a transition phase from iodine
deficient to iodine sufficient nutrition while Meghalaya is on
the verge of eradicating IDD
• The region being environmentally deficient in iodine
continuous monitoring of the salt iodization programme is
warranted for eradication of IDD.
15. The authors gratefully acknowledge:
The Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, for the
Financial grant to carry out the study
Dr M.Mohan Ram, Former Director, National Institute of
nutrition, Hyderabad for initiating me into this project.
The respective state governments of Sikkim, Meghalaya and
Arunachal Pradesh for providing local help and support during
the survey
Dr Kamala Krishnaswamy, Former Director, National Institute
of Nutrition, Hyderabad, for the guidance and support provided
during the study.
Mrs K.L. Rao, Mr K. Mangthya, Mr Leelakanta Gogoi and Mr
Rajib Gogoi for tirelessly carrying out the analysis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
