Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences (Apr 2013)
Age, sex, religion and caste specific goitre prevalence among school children in Berhampore sadar sub-division of Murshidabad District, West Bengal
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of the present study is to find out the prevalence of endemic goitre among school children of Berhampore sadar sub-division of Murshidabad district. Attempt has also been made to find out the interaction of host factors, viz, age, sex, caste, religion in influencing goitre prevalence among school children during post-salt iodization phase. Background: In post salt iodization phase, endemic goitre was found prevalent all over the India including West Bengal. Prevalence of goitre has been reported in many districts except Murshidabad. Present study is thus undertaken in Murshidabad district. Method: A total of 1566 school children (6-12 yr) were clinically examined for goitre from five C.D.Blocks of the studied region. Age, sex, religion and caste specific goitre prevalence was reported. Body height and body weight is also recorded to observe the growth pattern of the studied school children. Result: Overall result showed that mild degree of goitre endemicity (17.4%) was found. Girls (18.9%) were more affected than boys (15.7%). Goitre was most prevalent in Hindus (19.6%) than Muslim (16.0%) communities. Among the Hindus, general caste (20.4%) students suffered more than scheduled caste and scheduled tribe (18.6%). Conclusion: Present study indicates that goitre is still persist in the region. Result showed that girls were more affected than boys. It may be due to increase physiological demand in females at puberty. Result also showed that goitre was most prevalent in Hindus than Muslim communities and among the Hindus, general caste students suffered more than scheduled caste & scheduled tribe. It might be due to their different environmental adaptability and different dietary habit. Age specific data showed that in initial stage (6 yr) growth pattern is comparably better in boys than girls. The growth rate is high among the girls than boys at the age of 9 yr to 12 yr. It may be due to the high demand of steroid hormones among the girls before menarche.
