Household Salt Iodine Level and Associated Factors in Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Iodine is the commonest, but not the only, cause for the low level of thyroid hormones. Salt iodization
is the preferred strategy to control this Deficiency Disorder. However, there is limited information on the level of
iodine on household salt and the associated factors in Dire Dawa city administration. The main aim of this study was
to assess the level of iodine in the household salt and associated factors in Dire Dawa City Aadministration.
Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dire Dawa City Administration among randomly
selected 402 households. The level of iodine was determined by using rapid test kit and iodometric titration test. Data
were collected by structured questionnaire using face to face interview on socio-demographic, economic dietary
diversity, salt storage and utilization. The data were entered in to EpiData Version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version
20.0 for analysis. All the variables that had P<0.25 with outcome variable in the bivariate analysis were included in
the multivariate regression model, and P-value ≤ 0.05 was declared as statistically significant.
Results: Inadequate amount of iodized salt (<15 parts per million) was found among 51% of the households and
49.5% of the households’ salt had inadequate (less than 20 mg/kg) iodine concentration using Iodometric titration test.
Using non-packed salt (AOR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.73), knowledge about the importance of iodized salt (AOR=2.3;
95% CI: 1.05-4.90), storing the salt for more than two months (AOR=2.1;5% CI: 1.14-4.61), purchasing salt from
open market (AOR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and retail shop (AOR=1.6;95% CI:1.1-5.1), and divorced, widowed and
separated (AOR=2.93; 95% CI: 1.56-6.59) were significantly associated with the availability of inadequate iodized
salt at the households.
Conclusions: In the study area, many of the households did not have access to adequately iodized salt at the household
level. Hence, the concerned stakeholders should sensitize the community about the importance of iodized salt and its
proper handling at the household level.