Iodine Deficiency Disorder

Vitamin A

Belize

Iodine

Iron

Bolivia

	EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA

Urinary Iodine

Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey - National Iodine Survey-Belize

	Date:	December 2001
	Groups Surveyed:	School age children between 7-14 years of age.
	Sample Size:	597
	Sampling Method:	Using a multi stage design along with the total number of rural and urban areas as shown in a national survey, selected a total number of rural and urban schools from throughout the country. From each school, 19 students were randomly selected fro salt samples and 13 students were randomly selected for urine samples.
	Estimated Goiter Prevalence:

Region/Group

Sample size

Indicator (s) Specify cutoff and/or median urinary iodine

Prevalence in Sample %

Rural Children	696	17.8	6.5
Urban Children	960	18.6	4.8
National Total- Children 7-14 years (National Survey)	1,656	18.4	5.5

Top	POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Legislation on IDD
	There is no current IDD legislation in Belize, but legislation has been in development since 2001.
	Iodization of salt is mandatory at a 20-60 mg/kg level.
	The government has published documents regarding IDD, called the "Draft Belize Standards Specification for salt", which develops a mandatory standard for salt iodization as set by the government.

Government Agency to Address IDD
	There is no government agency that deals with IDD.

Supplementation
	Currently there is no supplementation program in Belize.

Fortification
Fortification
Production and Importation of Salt
	There is no iodized salt production, but imported salt is iodized.
	Salt is imported from Mexico, Guatemala, U.S.A., and Jamaica.
	The intended level of salt iodization in imported salt is 20-60 mg/kg.
	There are no other measures of fortification with iodine in widespread use.

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Retail
	The average retail cost of salt is as follows:
		Iodized salt:
			- BZ $0.50 per pound (lb).
		Un-iodized salt
			- Not Reported

Household Consumption
	The estimated daily per capita consumption of salt is 10g per person per day.
Other Programs
Other Programs
Mass-Media Campaign
	Currently there are no mass media campaigns, but campaigns are being planned.

Community-base Programs
	There are no community-based programs in Belize.

Surveys of Iodized Salt
	The most recent salt iodization survey was conducted in 2001

Iodized Salt Survey (2001)

Survey level	Date	Geographic Area/Other Grouping	Sample Size	Sampling Method	Average and/or Range of Iodine Content	% of samples with ppm=
Survey level	Date	Geographic Area/Other Grouping	Sample Size	Sampling Method	Average and/or Range of Iodine Content	> 15	> 30
Household	1994	National	1295	Random	10.7 mcg/g	0	0
Household	2001	National	597	Random	10.7 mcg/g	0	0

	MONITORING

Salt Iodine
Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt
	There is no monitoring of iodine levels in salt.
	Survey to determine iodine levels in salt were completed in 2001.

IDD Indicators
	There is no monitoring of the goiter rate in Belize.
	There are no laboratory facilities in Belize for biochemical measurement, but equipment is being purchased to facilitate measurement of urinary iodine at the Belize Central Medical Laboratory.

Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs
Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs
Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs

Implementing Agency	Description of Activities	Expenditure in current year
		Supplementation (if applicable)	Salt Iodization	Other (specify)
National/State Governments	Ministry of Health Ministry of Trade
External Agencies	INCAP UNICEF WHO/PAHO

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA