AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATELY IODIZED SALT AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN RURAL COMMUNITY OF LAELAY MAYCHEW WOREDA, CENTRAL ZONE, TIGRAY, NORTH ETHIOPIA,2014

Abstract

Background: Universal salt iodization is recommended as cost-effective, safe and sustainable strategy to ensure adequate intake of iodine by all populations. The coverage of universal salt iodization is still very low in Ethiopia. Therefore, identification of factors that influence the accessibility to iodized salt is essential to formulate a better policy and intervention measures. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess availability of iodized salt and associated factors among households in rural community of Laelay Maychew Woreda, Central zone, Tigray, North Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 10, 2014 by using face-to-face interview technique. Multistage sampling technique was used. The desired sample size was allocated proportional to sizes of population in each kebelle and systematic random sampling method was used to get study subjects. The collected data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine the significant relation between each independent variable with outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to determine relative prediction level of independent variables to the outcome variable. Variable having p < 0.05 was considered as significant and AOR with 95% CI was used to interpret the result. Results: One hundred ninety eight (33%) of the household respondents were used iodized salt adequately. Formal education [AOR=2.207, 95%CI [1.27-3.39], good knowledge about iodized salt and iodine deficiency disorders [AOR=2.11, 95%CI [1.37- 3.25] and shorter storage of salt at household [AOR=1.61, 95%CI [1.10-2.35] were the identified factors that predict for availability of adequately iodized salt at household level. Conclusion and recommendation: Availability of adequately iodized salt was very low in the study area. So, strengthening the current universal salt iodization program and further revising strategies to increase utilization of adequately iodized salt at household level is recommended. Key words: Availability, Iodized salt, Household, Ethiopia