A review of tracking progress towards elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are significant health problem in India. But there is dearth of regional/state level information for the same.

Objective: This study was designed to study the current status of IDD in Tamil Nadu.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted in the state of Tamil Nadu. The study population was children in the age group of 6-12 years and the probability proportional to size 30 cluster methodology was used for sample selection. The parameters studied were prevalence of goiter, urinary iodine excretion, and iodine content in salt at the household level.

Results: A total of 1230 children aged between 6 and 12 years were studied. The total goiter rate was 13.5% (95% CI: 11.1-14.9). The median urinary iodine excretion was found to be 89.5 μg/L (range, 10.2-378 μg/L). The 56% of the urinary iodine excretion values were <100 μg/L. The proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt (iodine content ≥ 15 parts per million) was 18.2% (95% CI: 16.1-20.5).

Conclusion: The total goiter rate of 13.5% and median urinary iodine excretion of 89.5 μg/L is indicative of iodine deficiency in Tamil Nadu.