Epidemiological Assessment of Goiter.

ABSTRACT

Research Question 1. What is the magnitude of problem of Goiter? 2. What is the level of iodised salt consumed by school children at school & home? Objectives: 1. To find out incidence of Goiter. 2. To find out level of iodised salt consumed by school children at school & home. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings School & houseto- house survey of urban & rural area of Raichur district. Participant School children & general population of both sexes. Sample size 45173. Statistical analysis: Proportion & Chi-squared test. Results: Total population covered 45173 in five talukas. Males were 23463 & females 21730, adult population 16404, children more than 15 yrs were 28769 & school population was 24984. School boys were 14269 & girls 10715. Highest prevalence of goiter found in Raichur taluka i.e. 5.68% and lowest in Lingsur taluka i.e. 0.86%. Over all prevalence of Goiter among surveyed villages is found to be 3.19 % (1439 cases). Higher prevalence has been reported among females in age group of 10- 14 yrs 5.25% & 15-19 yrs 4.66% compared to other age groups of village population. School children in Raichur district revealed the prevalence of Goiter 3.66%. Conclusion: Prevalence of Goiter among surveyed villages is found to be 3.19 % (1439 cases), which is less compared to the National figures. The people are consuming the iodated salt and ban on non-iodated salt may be effectively implemented in study region.