Publication:

Impact of iodine deficiency disorders control programme implementation in four districts of Chhattisgarh, India: baseline survey

Background Iodine deficiency disorder constitute the largest cause of preventable brain damage. Majority of the consequences of IDD are invisible and irreversible and as well preventable. World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joint Committee on Health Policy recommended Universal Salt Iodization (USI) as a safe, cost effective and sustainable strategy to ensure sufficient intake of iodine by all individuals. Chhattisgarh Government made efforts to achieve wider coverage of population by iodized salt through Public Distribution System, but lack of recent baseline data to know the impact of this effort has been a major constraints. Keeping this in mind, a survey was proposed to assess the impact of NIDDCP in four districts of Chhattisgarh. (Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, Koriya and Kanker). Objective of the study was: 1. To ascertain the prevalence of clinical forms of IDD among 6-12 years children in 4 selected districts of Chhattisgarh. 2. To document iodine uptake status reflected by random urinary excretion levels in a sample of 6-12 year children covered for clinical examination and 3. To evaluate the coverage of iodized salt at the community level (i-e at household) by on the spot testing by Rapid Salt Testing Kit.

Methods Cross sectional Observational study was done based on IDD survey guidelines by Government of India during July-Oct 2015Results: Present study results showed Goiter prevalence among 6-12 years children was in the range of 3.37-17.56% (Highest in Rajnandgaon). Iodine deficiency reflected by urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was found unacceptable limit maximum (87%) in Rajnandgaon. Half of the surveyed districts had subnormal ( 5%). The adequately Iodized salt coverage which should have been more than 90 % is not fulfilled in all the 4 districts.