Goitre prevalence and quality of water in District Mardan

Goitre is common in the plains of North West Frontier Province [NWFP] of Pakistan. Certain Villages of Tehsil Swabi, in Mardan District; Raja, Boko, Ghanda, Kota and Manai. We examined 722 individuals, 372 males and 350 females, from these villages. Goitre prevalence in Baja, Jhanda, Kota and Manai was 15.6, 27.8, 43.0 and 37.7% respectively. Goitre prevalence was high among females of child bearing age. The water used for drinking and cooking was grossly contaminated with coliforms and chemically it contained less iodine