Knowledge and practices of iodized salt utilization, health consequences, and iodine concentration on dietary salts at retailer and households in Jigjiga town, Somali, Ethiopia

Abstract

To warrant adequate supplementation of iodine at the consumer level, monitoring and evaluating the concentration of iodine in salt is an essential element of a programme to eliminate iodine deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the adequacy level of iodine concentration in dietary salt at the retailers and household level, and also to assess the level of knowledge and practices of iodized salt utilization in Jigjiga, Somali, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study using simple random systematic sampling was employed. Salt samples were collected from 90 households and 30 retailer shops. Nearly 88% of households and 80% of retailers had iodized salt. However, only 31.1% and 30% of the households and retailer shops had adequately iodized salt, respectively. Three-fourth (75%) of the participants ever heard about iodized salt. Only 31.3% and 8% of participants obtained information about adverse health effect of iodine and its preventive mechanisms from mass media and health workers, respectively. More than one-thirds (40.6%) of the participants’ never used iodized salt due to its high price. The presence of iodine in the salt affected 38% of the participant’s taste. About 88% of the participants were storing dietary salt in a container with lid and/or polyethylene bag. Therefore, consistent and regular monitoring of iodized salt along the value chain should consider the availability and affordability.

Keywords

• iodized salt
• household
• retailer
• dietary salt
• jigjiga
• somali