Publication:

Epidemiology of goiter in Elfigaiga, River Nile state, Sudan

Background Iodine deficiency continues to be a significant public health problem in many areas all over the world, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are estimated to be at risk of iodine deficiency, of these more than 650 million have goiter.

Methods A total coverage of the whole population had been carried out to measure the prevalence of goiter, only 556 inhabitants were examined using cross-sectional study and house to house survey. Questionnaire and observation were used as a tool for data gathering, which had been carried out by a well-trained and expert professionals, water samples from houses (goitrous and nongoitrous families) was examined in the laboratory for determination of iodine deficiency in drinking water and for determination of calcium salts and flourides as goitrogens in drinking water.

Results The study showed that goiter prevalence in the study area was (11.9%), the clinical assessment was done for both sexes at different age group, and it was found that goiter was more frequent among females (85%) furthermore it is mainly distributed within the age group 31-40 years (30%). Water samples from goitrous and non-goitrous families were investigated to detect iodine concentration in drinking water, and it was found not deficient of iodine (0.12 mg/l) and (0.18) respectively.

Conclusions This study was carried out during the period (May-December 2010) to study the epidemiology of goiter, a cross-sectional design was used to achieve the stated objectives, the study is consist of seven chapters and 140 pages, and contain both theoretical and practical parts. Then all the field work and clinical assessment was done by professional personnel. On the other side there was some constrains that a rise during the study, as financial problems and some missed cases. Then by the end of the study there were some recommendations to be fulfilled.