OBJECTIVES Goiter is a major public health problem, especially in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of goiter among children in Waghimra Zone, northeast Ethiopia.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 8 to 25, 2015 in northeast Ethiopia. A multistage sampling method was used to select 454 schoolchildren. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Children were examined for the presence or absence of goiter based on the criteria of the United Nations Children’s Fund, International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency, and the World Health Organization. Salt samples from children’s homes were tested for iodine levels using a rapid iodized salt test kit. Data were entered into EpiInfo version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted, and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to determine the level of significance.
RESULTS
The prevalence of goiter was 62.1% (95% CI, 57.5 to 66.5%). Being female (aOR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.57 to 6.08), having a family history of goiter (aOR, 5.18; 95% CI, 2.43 to 11.03), and using non-iodized salt (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.38) were factors associated with goiter among schoolchildren.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of goiter was high. Being female and having a family history of goiter increased the risk of goiter in children, but using iodized salt was protective. Therefore, we recommend ensuring universal access to iodized salt and increasing the awareness of the community of the importance of iodized salt utilization.
Summary
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Excessive iodine status among school‐aged children in the State of Qatar: Results of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Survey Mohamed Hamad J. T. Al‐Thani, Salah Abdulla Sh. A. Alyafei, Kholoud Ateeq K. M. Al‐Motawaa, Shamseldin Ali Khalifa, Syed Hassan Bin Usman Shah, Benjamin Vinodson, Sureshbabu Kokku, Amit Mishra Public Health Challenges.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Availability of adequate iodized salt at household level in rural communities in Farta district, Northwest, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Yalelet Fentaw Shiferaw, Wubshet Debebe Negash, Daniel Gashaneh Belay, Haileyesus Birhan, Desale Bihonegn Asmamaw BMC Nutrition.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Clinical, Laboratory, and Ultrasound Related Diagnoses of Thyroid Disorders: Using a Family Medicine Center Data to Assess Thyroiditis and Thyroid Nodules in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia Malak A. Al-Shammari, Moataza M. Abdel Wahab, Nouf A. AlShamlan, Reem S. AlOmar, Abdullatif K. Althunyan, Layla M. Alghamdi, Adam Fahad Aldhawyan, Naheel A. AlAmer, Sara A. Elmaki, Omran Al Dandan Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Mandatory Versus Voluntary Implementation of Salt Iodization Program for the Last Two Decades in Ethiopia: A Comparative Review of Existing Literatures Agize Asfaw, Dessalegn Tamiru, Tefera Belachew Food and Nutrition Bulletin.2022; 43(4): 500. CrossRef
Prevalence of Goiter Among School-Aged Children in Ethiopia: Update of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Yohannes Tekalegn, Kebebe Bekele, Biniyam Sahiledengle, Demelash Woldeyohannes Global Advances in Health and Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Adequately Iodized Salt Utilization and Associated Factors among Households in Tach Armachio District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study Worku Mamo, Terefe Derso, Solomon Gedlu Nigatu, Karen L. Sweazea Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism.2021; 2021: 1. CrossRef
Prevalence of Goiter and Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Gazgibla District, Northeast Ethiopia Gebremedhin Gebremichael, Melake Demena, Gudina Egata, Berhe Gebremichael Global Advances in Health and Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
National incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of common micronutrient deficiencies in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2017: estimates from the global burden of diseases study Hamid Yimam Hassen, Jemal Haider Ali, Seifu Hagos Gebreyesus, Bilal Shikur Endris, Awoke Misganaw Temesgen Global Health Action.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Goiter and its associated factors among primary school children aged 6-12 years in Anchar district, Eastern Ethiopia Muzemil Muktar, Kedir Teji Roba, Bezatu Mengistie, Berhe Gebremichael, Adamu Belay Tessema, Meseret Woldeyohannes Kebede, Sun Young Lee PLOS ONE.2019; 14(4): e0214927. CrossRef
Prevalence of goiter among children aged 8–10 in Binh Dinh province, Vietnam in 2016–2017 Truong Quang Dat, Le Nguyen Huong Giang, Pham Van Bao, Nguyen Thi Hong Tuyen AIMS Public Health.2019; 6(2): 184. CrossRef
Dietary pattern and its association with iodine deficiency among school children in southwest Ethiopia; A cross-sectional study Hamid Yimam Hassen, Melkamu Beyene, Jemal Haider Ali, Seth Adu-Afarwuah PLOS ONE.2019; 14(8): e0221106. CrossRef
Prevalence of goiter among children in Ethiopia and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis Getenet Dessie, Desalegne Amare, Amare Belachew Dagnew, Henok Mulugeta, Dessalegn Haile Kassa, Ayenew Negesse, Getachew Mullu Kassa, Fasil Wagnew, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, Sahai Burrowes BMC Public Health.2019;[Epub] CrossRef