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Current Iodine Deficiency Disorder Situation
Population
Population: 10.65 million
Population growth rate: 0.2%
Population < 15 years: 14.8%
Birth rate: 9.82 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 78.74 years
Infant mortality: 6.25 per 1000
Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE
Median urinary iodine: 84-160 mcg/L. Iodine intake appears sufficient in most parts of the country. The increases in iodine intake have been attributed to more consumption of iodine-containing foods resulting from better transportation.
Available surveys show the following urinary iodine excretions for children: northwest Greece , 84 mcg/L; Athens , ~160 mcg/L; Heraklion Crete, ~120 mcg/L.
A 1999 survey measured urinary iodine in 1,213 schoolchildren in six schools from nonendemic areas and 11 from previous endemic areas. The urinary iodine ranged from 95 to 191 mcg/g creatinine in the nonendemic areas, and 43 to 167 mcg/g creatinine in the endemic areas.
Surveys in the 1960's showed endemic goiter in the western part of the country, particularly the Pindos mountains, and the Olympus mountains and Crete . Data of 1987 and 1992 described goiter prevalences of 18-20% in Athamanio, Pramanta, and Christi.
Data from 1987 to 1992, from 15 different areas showed most have urinary iodines above 100 mcg/L, exceptions were the three regions mentioned under goiter, where urinary iodines were around 35 mcg/L. In Athens , urinary iodine (1992) was 208 mcg/g creatinine. Recent study in southwest (Markou et al.) found 54% of the population had urinary iodine excretion greater than 100 mcg/L. However, 54% of the villages had < 100 mcg/L, 23% were < 5.
Iodized salt Coverage
Household iodized salt use: 18%
Salt Situation Analysis Production
No data.
Consumption
- Estimated daily per capita salt consumption: no data.
- Estimated % of all salt consumed by people which is adequately iodized (household level): 18 %
Iodine Procurement and Utilization
KI at 50 ppm
Universal Salt Iodization Program
Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities
Legislation
- Legislation: None; iodized salt use is voluntary.
- Legislation for Animals: none.
- Year Enacted: n/a
Program Monitoring and Evaluation
No government program. Strong interest by several endocrinologists over years. No formal program; occasional surveys by several endocrine groups, using urinary iodine and ultrasound.
Other Interventions
Sporadic use of iodized oil in past; details not available.
Key Lessons Learned
Challenges and Constraints
Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination
Sources:
IDD NL 18(4):54, 2002
Doufas et al 1999 Eur J Endocrinol 14:505-511.
IDD NL 9(1):6, 1993
Markou et al., abstract, 1996
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