Iodine level concentration, coverage of adequately iodized salt consumption and factors affecting proper iodized salt utilization among households in North Ethiopia: a community based cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Adequate iodine fortified salt is the most common and effective method of preventing iodine deficiency. Studies showed households using iodized salt (15 Parts Per Million (PPM) to 80 PPM) of iodine at household level were low in Tigray region and other regions of Ethiopia. Limited studies have conducted on utilization of iodized salt at the household level and none of them did not addressed on factors affecting to proper iodized salt utilization. The aim of this study was to determine the iodine concentration in the collected salt samples, adequately iodized salt consumption coverage and identify factors affecting to proper iodized salt utilization amongst the households of Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional designs on selected 318 household food caterers were interviewed and salt samples were accordingly collected. Data was analyzed by the SAS-9.2 statistical software package. The iodine concentrations of the salt samples were determined by using the golden standard iodometric titration technique. Logistic Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) statistical analysis method was used to assess factors affecting proper iodized salt utilization at household level. RESULTS: Adequately iodized salt coverage among the households was only 51 (17.5%). About 42 (14.38%) had 15 ppm (ppm) – 80 ppm, 9 (3.08%) had > 80 ppm, 188 (64.4%) had 1.1 ppm to 14.9 ppm and 53 (18.2%) had no iodine in the salt (0 ppm). Only 26 (8.9%) of the households had used iodized salt properly. Family size with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) (0.82) and 95%CI [0.67, 0.92], residency of the household with AOR (2.83) and 95%CI [1.48, 5.40], the availability of iodized salt with AOR (3.90) and 95% CI [1.74, 8.7] and affordability to iodized salt with AOR (3.33) and 95% CI [1.41, 7.34] was strong predictors to proper iodized salt utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Coverage of adequately iodized salt was low. Family size, residency, availability and affordability of iodized salt were the predictors of proper iodized salt utilization. To enhance USI utilization effective inspection and regulatory measures should be taken to prevent the production and distribution of under/ over iodized salt in the market. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s40795-019-0291-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.