Situations of Iodized Salt Use in 2007 in Households in Changwat Si Sa Ket-สถานการณ์การใช้เกลือเสริมไอโอดีน ในครัวเรือน จังหวัดศรีสะเกษ ปี 2550

Abstract

           The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to determine iodized salt use, factors associated with its use, and the quality of iodized salt in Changwat Si Sa Ket in northeasternThailand.  Data were collected from 791 randomized households in the province during May - June 2007 via interviews and the use of the I-KIT test.  Descriptive and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. 

            Results showed that 59.74 percent of households used iodized salt.  However, only 78.81 percent of the iodized salt used in households was classified as of a good quality as it had less that 30 parts per million.  About 20 percent of the households kept the salt properly such as in a closed container and away from heat and/or sunlight.  Reasons given by some householders for not using iodized salt included not being able to buy it from stores in the village, the iodized salt could not be used in the preparation of fermented fish since the price was too expensive, and participants were not familiar with the taste of the salt and did not have knowledge about it.  Most of the participants were knowledgeable about iodide deficiency syndrome (75.72%), prevention of iodide deficiency syndrome (83.52%), availability of iodine in seafood (77.01%), effects of mothersี iodide deficiency syndrome on infant health (89.02%), effects of iodine deficiency on infant development (89.41%), and susceptibility of individuals in the workforce to iodide deficiency syndrome (62.5%).  Chi-square analysis showed that individuals who were knowledgeable about its use were significantly more likely to use iodized salt than those who were not (p < 0.05), with the exception of knowledge about iodide deficiency syndrome and availability of iodine substance in seafood.  Results also indicated that individuals who were educated were significantly more likely to use iodized salt than those of primary school education or less (p< 0.05).  However, results showed no effection of iodized salt use on households with pregnant women (68.75%) or without pregnant women (59.51%). 

              This study is beneficial in the promotion of iodized salt use especially in pregnant women and in the control of the quality of iodized salt products since the study found that 20.34 percent of iodized salt contained less than the required content of iodine. 

Key words:   Iodized salt use, situation