ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of the universal salt iodization strategy in the control and elimination of iodine deficiency in a community requires systematic monitoring of urinary iodine concentration, which is the key biochemical indicator recommended for assessing the impact of iodine deficiency control programs. Published data on the salt iodization programme for control of iodine deficiency in the Solomon Islands is scanty. The aims of this study were to determine the iodine content of salt in the households and the urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in schoolchildren, age 6 – 12 years, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. This was a prospective school-based study. Multistage cluster sampling method was used for selecting the study population. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 19 of the 28 primary schools in Honiara Solomon Islands. The iodine content in salt samples was measured using the single wavelength semi-automated WYD Iodine Checker Photometer. UIC was estimated using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Salt was available and used in 99.5% of the households. The mean iodine content in household salt samples was 55.2 17.7ppm. The iodine content was 15.0ppm in salt samples from 99.1% of households. Data indicates successful implementation of universal salt iodisation strategy. Median UIC for all the children was 328.0ug/L, Inter-quartile range was 210.38 – 437.0ug/L. UIC in 97.2% of all the children was 100ug/L and 0.7% had UIC below 50ug/L. Median UIC values for the male and female children were 337.0ug/L and 325.0ug/L respectively. UIC in 97.1% of male and 97.4% of female children was 100ug/L. Data indicate that iodine deficiency is not a public health problem among schoolchildren, age 6 – 12yrs, in Honiara. Our findings indicate the need for an efficient, sustainable, and functional monitoring system to strengthen and improve on the achievements of the USI strategy in Honiara, Solomon Islands.