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Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the impact and achievements of the government-supported program to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders in selected villages in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Results showed that most of the respondents in the surveyed households (92.9%, n = 496) had a clear knowledge of iodine deficiency disorders. More than 99% of the surveyed households were using iodized salt and only a small proportion (0.4%) was using noniodized salt. The majority of the surveyed households (66%, n = 440), retail and wholesale shops had good salt handling practices that minimized iodine losses. The median urinary iodine concentrations were 166 µg/g for boys, 171 µg/L for girls, and 169 µg/L for reproductive-age women. Goiter prevalence among school-age children was Grade one (7%, n = 583), Grade two (0.5%, n = 583) and Grade zero (93%, n = 583). It was concluded that significant achievements have been made in controlling iodine deficiency disorders in the surveyed district. The government should continue the current efforts to ensure sustainability.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, for supporting this study. The authors also extend sincere thanks to the Iringa district administration for granting them permission to conduct the study in the selected villages and for providing valuable administrative and logistical support. We also extended many thanks to the mothers, children, village health workers, retail and wholesale salt traders for generously participating in this study.