Population

Population:   5.2 million
Population growth rate:  2.42%
Population < 15 years:  35.4%
Birth rate:  27.7 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth:  75.7 years
Infant mortality:  29.0 per 1000

Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE

Median urinary iodine: no recent data. In 1993 a survey in the north of children of all ages showed 23% with small goiters. In 1976, Ghalioungui conducted an extensive IDD prevalence survey on children 13-20 years. Data were available for two regions of country: TGR < 10% in Littoral area (n=7,279) & TGR > 25% in non-littoral area (n=871), with highest prevalence observed in Fezzan Province .

As part of 1976 survey, 442 urine samples were collected from a sub-sample from central and southern regions. More than 50% of those surveyed < 50 mcg/g creatinine.

Iodized salt Coverage

Salt Situation Analysis

Production

No import. Iodized salt became available on the market in 1992.  Over 90% of available salt is iodized (Middle East, WHO, April 25-26, 1993).  One salt producing factory (Abu Kammash C hemical Industry) started to produce 40,000 tons/annual from the brine of a salt lake (Sebkha).   Iodized salt has been produced by this factory alone since 1980. Salt is iodized by drip feeding to dried salt before packaging in plastic material.

Consumption

• Estimated daily per capita salt consumption: 3.5
• Estimated % of all salt consumed by people which is adequately iodized (household level):   90%

Iodine Procurement and Utilization

Universal Salt Iodization Program

Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities

Legislation

• Legislation: Yes, Secretary of Health decree
• Legislation for Animals: no
• Year Enacted: 1998

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

MOH. There is an Endemic Goiter Unit in the Endemic Diseases Section of the C ommunity Health Department. National survey was being planned (mid 1996) to evaluate impact of salt iodization, particularly in remote areas, but no further information available.

A consultant in the late 1990's suggested:  (a) establish a national committee for IDD control through the MOH; (b) undertaking an updated assessment; (c) develop a comprehensive strategy for IDD control; (d) update and improve iodized salt production with good distribution and constant monitoring to assure that every person will receive an adequate amount of iodine from salt, and to avoid the availability of noniodized salt in the markets; and (e) establish a national iodine monitoring laboratory to be responsible for quality control.

Other Interventions

None

Key Lessons Learned

Challenges and Constraints

Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination

Sources:

IDD NL 17(3):37, 2001