Determine the iodine content of salt at the household level and its predictors in Bahirdar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction: iodine deficiency remains a foremost public health problem in developing countries. About 66 million populations were at risk from iodine deficiency, 28 million people suffer from goiter and more than 50,000 prenatal deaths are related to iodine deficiency each year in Ethiopia. Besides, studies from different parts of Ethiopia have shown that a low proportion of households use adequate iodine concentration and varied from one household to another. Despite increased coverage, the quality of available salt is poor. To ensure safe and effective levels of iodine consumption, monitoring the levels of iodine in salt and the iodine status of the population is critical. However, kinds of literature are scant in Ethiopia particularly; no study is conducted in the current study area. Thus, the study aimed to determine the iodine content of salt and associated factors at the household level in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: a community based cross-sectional study design was carried out in Bahir Dar Town from September to October 2015. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 706 study participants. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire and laboratory were used to collect data. A laboratory test, gold standard iodometric titration method was used to measure individual availability of adequately iodized salt. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with the content of iodine. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval was computed to show the strength of association. In multivariable analysis, a p-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: a total, of 690 participants were included in the study. About 70.1% (95%CI: 63.41, 76.76) of the households were used adequate iodized salt (≥15 ppm). The result of the multivariate analysis revealed that respondents with secondary school (AOR=3.05; 95%CI: 1.51,6.18), age 30-44 years (AOR=1.99; 95%CI: 1.08,3.69), good knowledge (AOR=3.34; 95% CI: 2.09,5.32) and being in the highest wealth status (AOR=4.35,95% CI: 2.43,7.8) had higher odds of availability of adequately iodized salt at the household compared to the counterpart. Besides, using covered salt (AOR=6.10, 95% CI: 3.78, 9.87) and storing salt in a dry place (AOR=4.17; 95% CI: 2.21, 7.86) were positively associated with the availability of adequately iodized salt. Conclusion: the availability of adequately iodized salt in the household is still low. Further institutionalizing iodized salt regulation and awareness creation will require to improve safe iodine consumption through the community.