Assessing the status of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and associated factors in Wolaita and Dawro Zones School Adolescents, southern Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Iodine deficiency is the major preventable cause of irreversible mental retardation in the world. Ethiopia is a country with high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders which continue to affect a large number of the country's population. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder in Wolaita and Dawuro zones.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in high school and preparatory students in Wolaita and Dawuro zones between April and May 2012. Data were collected from 718 school adolescents using pre-tested questionnaire through systematic random sampling technique. Data were entered and cleaned using Epi-info version 3.5.3 and then transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression were done and the cut off value set was P < 0.05 as this is considered as statistically significant.


RESULT
The overall prevalence (total goiter rate) of goiter in study area was 351 (48.9%). Students with Grade-1 goiter were 265 (36.9%) while with Grade-2 goiter was 86 (11.9%). Females were by a long way vulnerable for goiter and accounts 60.9% with Pearson correlation coefficient 0.300, P value 0.0001. Generally, the occurrence of goiter in the study area was found to have statistical significant association with sex of respondents (being female) [AOR = 3.526; 95% CI (2.55-4.87)], climatic condition of resident (temperate climate) [AOR = 0.617; 95% CI (0.404-0.943)], frequency of iodized salt use [AOR = 0.484; 95% CI (0.317-0.739)] and consumption of cassava [AOR = 4.184; 95% CI (2.6-6.707)].


CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
In general, the study revealed that iodine deficiency disorder was a serious public health concern. Nearly half of adolescent students in Wolaita and Dawuro zones were affected by goiter. Therefore, emphasis on a sustainable iodine intervention program targeted at population level, particularly at females is mandatory. Nutrition education along with adequate Universal Salt Iodization program is urgently required.
['Workie|Shimelash Bitew|SB|', 'Abebe|Yemane Gebremariam|YG|', 'Gelaye|Amha Admasie|AA|', 'Mekonen|Tefera Chane|TC|']
D000293:Adolescent D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005002:Ethiopia D005260:Female D006042:Goiter D006801:Humans D007455:Iodine D016015:Logistic Models D008297:Male D015995:Prevalence D012574:Schools D012720:Severity of Illness Index D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary D013334:Students D055815:Young Adult
Iodine deficiency Ethiopia Wolaita and Dawuro zone Adolescent students