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Current Iodine Deficiency Disorder Situation
Population
Population: 3.54 million
Population growth rate: 1.06%
Population < 15 years: 28.8%
Birth rate: 18.59 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 72.1 years
Infant mortality: 38.6 per 1000
Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE
Median urinary iodine: <50 mcg/L. Early national screening program observed a TGR among 196,669 schoolchildren of 40.8%. It appears to be severe in some mountain regions. IDD has been found to be highly correlated with the amount of iodine in drinking water, i.e., areas with I-free water having TGR rates between 78-92% and where iodine content in water is high, TGR of 15%.
1994, 4 villages in north, 241 children, ultrasound, 28.9% goiter.
2395 children 8-10 years old, 32 cluster sites; median 2-49 mcg/L; 63% severe, 30% moderate, 5% mild (1993).
Cretinism prevalence of 0.1%. No newborn cretin has been diagnosed since 1991.
TSH in 227 newborns, Tirana, 1993; whole blood: 4.9 ± 5.3 (x + SD) mU/L, median 3.0; 33% > 5.
Iodized salt Coverage
Uncertain
Salt Situation Analysis Production
Salt iodization introduced in 1980. Before 1991 approximately 5% of the salt was iodized. A plant was constructed for salt iodination 12 years ago in Vlore , but is inadequate to satisfy needs of entire country. It was producing 5,600 tons of salt per year for a country which consumes 15,000 tons per year. The Lake of Nartes provides white, almost 99% pure salt through process of evaporation. However, when it is sold, the salt turns to sandy gray. This is a result of a system which is rather ineffective and because of existing problems in packing, humidity, transportation, and distribution. Only about 5% of this salt is re-washed to its original white color to then be sold at a price which is 3 times as expensive. The salt is transported and sold in 25 kg plastic bags in the market. (Europe, UNICEF, July 1993)
Consumption
No data on household iodized salt consumption.
Iodine Procurement and Utilization
KI, 25 ppm
Universal Salt Iodization Program Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities
Legislation
None Program Monitoring and Evaluation
None. A 1995 UNICEF salt study recommended that given the severity of IDD in Albania , efforts to improve the production of quality edible salt and the implementation of salt iodization activities are urgently required. Albania has the capacity to iodize all its edible salt for both domestic consumption and for export to neighboring countries. The report outlines several lines of action towards achieving USI -- investing in salt refining and iodization equipment, passing legislation mandating that all edible grade salt meets specified minimum standards and is adequately iodized, and implementing an aggressive social mobilization campaign and salt monitoring system.
UNICEF reported in 1993 as follows: "There is no national program for control of IDD. The goal is to introduce salt iodization by 1994 and to control IDD by the end of 1995. Because of the fact that all salt is produced by one factory, the ability to iodize and monitor is simple and steps to do so are in the process as is training. The salt manufacturer seems willing to cooperate in salt iodization in the future."
Other Interventions None knows.
Key Lessons Learned
Challenges and Constraints
Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination
Sources:
IDD in Albania . Bardhost et al. IDD Newsletter 13(1), 1997. |
