Status of iodine deficiency disorder in district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand state India

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a public health problem in Uttarakhand state. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted in district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand state with an objective to assess the status of iodine deficiency amongst school age children (6-12 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty clusters were selected by utilizing the population proportionate to size (PPS) cluster sampling methodology. A total of 1807 children in the age group of 6-12 years were included. The clinical examination of the thyroid of each child was conducted. Urine and Salt samples were collected from children. RESULTS: The Total Goiter Rate (TGR) was found to be 13.2%. The proportion of children with Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) level <20, 20-49, 50-99, 100-199 and ≥200 μg/l was found to be nil, 6.0, 21.2, 34.2 and 38.5 percent, respectively. The median UIE level was 150 μg/l. Only 46.7% of the salt samples had stipulated level of iodine of 15 ppm and more. CONCLUSION: The study population had mild degree of public health problem of iodine deficiency.