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Current Iodine Deficiency Disorder Situation
Population
Population: 2.2 million
Population growth rate: 1.5%
Population < 15 years: 39.3%
Birth rate: 31.2 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 48.8 years
Infant mortality: 82.8 per 1000
Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE
Median urinary iodine: 35 mcg/L (1994). A 1994 survey of children aged 6-12 and women of childbearing age between 13 and 39 indicated that the prevalence of IDD was more severe than previously estimated (in 1988); highest prevalence levels in mountainous areas (>20%).
86 spot urine samples collected: 44 mcg/L national; 35 mcg/L mountains; 54 mcg/L lowlands.
Iodized salt C overage
Household iodized salt use: 69% (2000)
Salt Situation Analysis Production
All salt comes from the Republic of South Africa and is iodized. Very limited amount of iodized salt available in Maseru which is iodized between 10-25 ppm. Otherwise, rural people mostly consume coarse salt which is not iodized and intended for livestock.
Consumption
- Estimated daily per capita salt consumption: no data
- Estimated % of all salt consumed by people which is adequately iodized (household level): 69% (2000)
Iodine Procurement and Utilization
KIO3, likely at 10-25 ppm.
Universal Salt Iodization Program
Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities
Legislation
- Legislation: Yes.The draft legislation for USI was presented to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for incorporation into the existing Public Health Act of 1970. This legislation should have become effective in 1996 and would ensure that the salt that Lesotho imports from neighboring South Africa is adequately iodized.
- Legislation for Animals: No data
- Year Enacted: No data
Program Monitoring and Evaluation
MOH is responsible. IDD activities are integrated into the existing child nutrition program. A national IDD program based on importation of iodinated salt with monitoring surveys was endorsed by the Eastern and Southern African Sub-regional Working Group in 1991 but no information on current activites.
Other Interventions
About 800,000 received oral iodized oil in past, no recent information.
Key Lessons Learned
Challenges and Constraints
Problems found are that there are several brands of salt sold in the country and several points of entry. This makes quality control and distribution of iodized salt difficult.
Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination
Sources:
IDD NL 15(2):26, 1999
UNI C EF USI Update, vol. 1, 1996 |
