Exploring iodized salt consumption and storage practices in urban slums of Bhubaneswar: a cross-sectional analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252456Keywords:
Iodized salt, Salt iodization, Salt storage practicesAbstract
Background: Salt iodization is the most effective public health intervention to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt at the consumer level and assess knowledge and practices regarding iodized salt usage and storage. The study also assessed the association between salt storage practices, awareness about iodized salt, and iodine levels in salt.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Bhubaneswar from May to July 2022. The required sample size was calculated to be 95 households, selected through systematic random sampling proportionate to the size of each ward. The multibus interface (MBI) kit was used for spot testing of iodine. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: The proportion of households using adequately iodized salt was 91.6%. About 13.7% stored salt in open containers, 65% near the fire/gas, 21.1% stored salt for more than four weeks, and 7.4% had moisture in their salt. About 53% of households added salt in the beginning of cooking and 81% of respondents had poor knowledge about iodized salt. Storing salt in open containers or sacks was significantly associated with inadequate iodine levels in salt (p value: 0.01).
Conclusions: While the consumption of adequately iodized salt meets the target level of 90%, poor awareness and improper storage practices are still prevalent. Education on proper storage, handling, and the importance of iodized salt is crucial to increase community awareness and improve iodine levels in salt.
Metrics
References
Maharjan MR, Timmer A. Status of the Iodine Nutrition and Salt Iodization Program in India: Country Brief – July 2023. Iodine Global Network and UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia; 2023.
Sahu T, Sahani NC, Satapathy DM, Behera TR. Prevalence of Goiter in 6-12-year children of Kandhamal District in Orissa. Indian J Community Med. 2005;30(2):51.
Mohapatra SS, Bulliyya G, Kerketta AS, Marai NS, Acharya AS. Iodine deficiency disorders in Bargarh district of Western Orissa. Indian Pediatr. 2000;37(5):536-9.
World Health Organization, Aburto NJ, Abudou M, Candeias V, Wu T. Effect and safety of salt iodization to prevent iodine deficiency disorders: a systematic review with meta-analyses. World Health Organization; 2014:150.
Sethy PG, Bulliyya G, Mallick G, Swain BK, Kar SK. Iodine deficiency in urban slums of Bhubaneswar. Indian J Pediatr. 2007;74:917-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0169-9
Chauhan N, Gupta A, Priyanka P, Singh R, Rattan S. A cross sectional survey of iodized salt consumption and assessment of community knowledge at household level in tribal area of North India. Indian J Appl Res. 2021;1-3.10.36106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36106/ijar/7602779
Konda S, RK, Giri PA. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding iodine deficiency disorders. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2017;6(8). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/ijmsph.2017.0515009062017
Anwar K, Kumar D, Sinha N, Mukherjee M, Singh R. Knowledge and practices regarding use of iodised salt among population of selected goitre endemic districts of Bihar. Public Health Rev Int J Public Health Res. 2018;5(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17511/ijphr.2018.i3.01
Karmakar N, Datta A, Nag K, Datta SS, Datta S. Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding household consumption of iodized salt among rural women of Tripura, India: a mixed-methods study. J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8(1):21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_248_18
Mukherjee A, Naskar S, Banerjee N, Mandal S, Das DK. Status of salt iodization, related awareness and practice at the household level in slums of Burdwan Municipality, West Bengal. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2021;10(1):361-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1576_20
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
