IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN ARBA MINCH TOWN, GAMO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder remains the major public health problem in the world. Globally, in 2017, 2 billion people suffer from iodine deficiency. In Africa, iodine deficiency ranges from 15% to 86% in children aged 0 to 19 years 2017. About 38% and 12.4% of the adolescents were found to be suffering from mild and moderate iodine deficiency respectively. Objective: To assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder and associated factors among school adolescents in Arba Minch town, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia 2023. Methods: A school based cross-sectional study were conducted among school adolescents in Arba Minch town from May 8 – Jun 18. The study was done on sample of 650 students who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected from school students by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using open data kit. Physical examination and observation were done to assess thyroid gland enlargement. To assess the presence of association multivariate logistic regression with p-value < 0.05 was used. Results: The overall prevalence of goiter was 18.0% (CI: 95%, 0.17-0.24), in which about 15.8 and 2.2% had goiter grade 1 and grade 2, respectively. Being female (AOR= 1.72; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.7) were positively associated, educational status of the mother (illiterate with degree and above AOR= of 4.25; 95% CI: 1.3,13.5), (informal educational status with degree and above AOR= of 6.95; 95% CI: 2.2, 21.4) and (secondary school educational status with degree and above AOR= of 2.97; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.2) were negatively associated and family history of goiter (AOR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.3, 3.8) were positively associated with iodine deficiency disorder among adolescents. Conclusion: The prevalence of goitre is a mild public health problem among school adolescents in Arba Minch town. Being a female, maternal educational status (illiterate, informal education and secondary school educational status) and family history of goiter were significantly associated with iodine deficiency disorders.