RÉSUMÉ
Background: Iodine deficiency disorders are recognized as major public health problem in India and the simplest, most effective and inexpensive preventive method is the consumption of Iodized salt. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of goitre among children aged 6 to 12 years in rural areas of Koppal district, to determine various factors associated with goiter among children, to estimate the level of urinary iodine excretion among urine samples collected from children and to estimate the level of iodine content among salt samples collected in the study setting.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for a duration of 6 months from June 2018 to November 2018 in rural areas of Koppal district among 3047 school children aged 6 to 12 years selected by cluster sampling technique. Goiter was detected and graded using standard techniques and the collected salt and urine samples were sent to MRHRU, Sirwar, Raichur for analysis. Data was collected using pretested and semistructured questionnaire and was analyzed using WHO Epi info software version 3.5.4.Results: The prevalence of goitre among school children in Koppal district was 442 (14.5%) and it was found to be significantly associated with age and source of drinking water. Majority i.e., 65.96% of urine samples had iodine content less than 100 µg/l and majority i.e., 79.15% of salt samples had iodine content less than 15 PPM.Conclusions: Goiter is mild public health problem in Koppal district with majority of urine samples excreting iodine below optimum levels and majority of salt samples being inadequately iodized.