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Current Iodine Deficiency Disorder Situation
Population
Population: 6.6 million
Population growth rate: 3.0%
Population < 15 years: 47.3%
Birth rate: 44.2 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 49.9 years
Infant mortality: 89.7 per 1000
Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE
Median urinary iodine: 289 mcg/L . The ThyroMobil in 2000 assessed 1,116 children at 10 different sites. Goiter prevalence by ultrasound was 1.1% (using old WHO normative values). Median urinary iodine concentration 289 mcg/L (range 1.0-926 mcg/L). Range in medians among the 10 sites was 173-386 mcg/L.
MOH survey 5/95 in all districts of 3 departments of the center and north. TGR: Zou, 4.2%; Afacora, 13.1%; Borgou, 42.3%. A total of 903 urine samples collected from three regions in 1995 had a median concentration of 41 mcg/L, indicating moderate iodine deficiency.
Iodized salt Coverage
Household iodized salt use: ~90%
Salt Situation Analysis Production
Roughly 80% of salt is imported. About 14 businesses control importation and distribution from Senegal , Ghana , France , Nigeria , Algeria , with Senegal being the largest. In 1995, 60% of imported salt was iodized.
Local salt production, about 5,000 MT/year represents only 20% of the country's needs, but remains an important economic activity in over 150 villages and employs 2000-3000 people, mostly women. Production is usually by washing brine and boiling it for crystallization. Solar evaporation is also used. Problems for local production include scarcity of firewood, pollution with fresh water, a short season, lack of technical expertise, poor packaging and little organization of producers. UNICEF supported iodization of locally produced salt, and proposed two commercial sites at Ouidah and Come, recommending continuous spray by batches. (IDD Newsletter 11/95).
Consumption
- Estimated daily per capita salt consumption: No Data Available
- Estimated % of all salt consumed by people which is adequately iodized (household level): 79% (UNICEF, 1996); 98% (ThyroMobil, 10 sites, 1999)
Iodine Procurement and Utilization
KIO3, 20-40 ppm but 58 ppm was found (ThyroMobil, 10 sites, 2000).
Universal Salt Iodization Program
Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities
High public awareness of thyroid problems from Chernobyl effect, particularly Gomel . International groups from USA , Japan , and Europe active in follow-up. Some local negative attitudes towards USI. Need follow-up national data on urinary iodine and increased coverage with iodized salt.
Legislation
Legislation: Yes A Decree, signed on 21 November 1994 , by the five ministers representing the ministries of health, finance, commerce and tourism, industry and small and medium-scale enterprises, and rural development, banned the production of un-iodized salt for human consumption.
- Legislation: Yes
- Legislation for Animals: Yes
- Year Enacted: March
Program Monitoring and Evaluation
MOH, DANA (National Directorate for Food and Nutrition) are responsible.
ThyroMobil visited in 2000. No further information about current monitoring; 2000 survey not published. Updated figures are needed on adequately iodized salt consumption at household level, and information on monitoring and program status.
Other Interventions Supplementation: Children age 6-18 years: 17% in Atacora, 25% in Borgou, in 1994
Key Lessons Learned
Challenges and Constraints
The main problems enumerated in 1996 were: (1) the independence of the many small-scale salt producers; (2) ease of importing non-iodized salt, especially from Togo ; (3) poor storage conditions for salt; and (4) lack of knowledge regarding iodized salt. Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination
Sources:
IDD NL 18(1):2, 2002
IDD NL 11(4):52, 1995
IDD NL 13(2):19, 1997 |
