Salt Iodisation in Port Harcourt Metropolis : a Survey of Households and Markets

Background: Consequent on the recognition of the public health importance of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD); especially in developing countries; the goal of iodising at least 90of edible salts by 2000 was set at the 1990 World Summit for Children.Aim: To determine the salt iodisation level in Port Harcourt.Methods: In April 2000; using pre-tested questionnaires and MBI field test kits; traders from 8 markets and residents of 2181 households in Port Harcourt were interviewed and samples of their edible salts tested to determine their iodine content.Results: The major salt brands of the 336 market and 2182 household samples were Union Dicon (70.54and 25.52) and Cassava (11.9and1.92). About 17of salt samples tested from markets compared to 72.55from households; were of unknown brands (p=0.00000). Over 99of samples from markets and households (99.7and 99.13respectively) had 30 ppm of iodine. All 27 traders interviewed were ignorant of salt iodisation programme and IDD; 92.6had seen persons with 'goitre' but were ignorant of its causes and prevention.Conclusion: Salt iodisation at the point of production has proved effective in increasing the consumption of iodised salts in Port Harcourt despite the widespread ignorance of the programme and its importance in controlling IDD. That most of the salts had 30 ppm of iodine portends the danger of toxicity with long-term use. There is need for close monitoring to ensure the safety of the intervention and its sustainability

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