Effect adequate salt iodization on the prevalence of goiter: a cross- sectional comparative study among school children aged 6-18 years during 1989 and 1995

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the impact of salt iodization on the prevalence of goiter among school children in the city of Shiraz. Design: In 1989, prior to initiation of universal salt iodization in Iran, 2419 male and female students, 6-18 years were randomly selected and evaluated for the presence of goiter, which was graded according to WHO goiter classification. A similar study was carried out in the same schools in 1995 five years after the initiation of the salt iodization program and involved randomly selected students. A decrease in the prevalence of goiter from 85% in 1989 to 68% in 1995 was noted. The prevalence of visible goiter showed a dramatic rise from 5% in 1989 to 23% in 1995. In spite of salt iodization, there was only a partial decline in the prevalence of goiter and the area should still be considered hyperendemic. Further studies are needed to define the unresolved issues