Iodine Deficiency Disorder

Vitamin A

Cameroon

Iodine

Iron

	EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA


Goiter
Most Recent Goiter Survey
	Date:	January 1995
	Groups Surveyed:	Children 6 - 15 yrs.
	Sample Size:	394
	Sampling Method:	Not Reported
	Estimated Goiter Prevalence: Oshié/Bétaré oya region - prevalence of 21% in the sample of 394.

Urinary Iodine
Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey
	1995, the target group was children 6 to 15 yrs. old, the sample size was 251.

Estimated Prevalence of IDD: Indicator < 100 microgram/L

Region/Group*	Sample size	Population in region/group (if available)	Indicator(s) specify cutoff and/or median urinary iodine	Prevalence in sample %
Oshie/Betaré oya (1995)	153	6 to 15 years	< 100µg/dl	49%
Oshie/Betaré oya (1999)	28	6 to 16 years	< 100µg/dl	0%

TSH

Thyroid stimulating hormone has been measured in a few studies. TSH= 2.8 "1.2 mUI/l 12-19 years (n=23); T4=116.9 " 43.9 mUI/l 12-19 yrs (n=21).

	POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Legislation on IDD
	IDD legislation was passed in Cameroon in 1991.
	Iodization of salt is mandatory. The mandated level of iodization is 100ppm.

Government Agency to Address IDD
	The government agency that deals with coordination and monitoring of IDD is the Nutrition Unit of the MoPH.
	Contact information: Daniel Sibetcheu

Supplementation
	Oral supplementation with iodized oil capsules is not currently used.

Fortification
Production and Importation of Salt
	There is iodized salt production.
	The total annual national production of iodized salt was not provided.
	The intended level of salt iodization at the point of production is 100PPM.
	Large-scale salt iodization started in 1991.
	There are currently two iodized salt producers.
	Potassium iodate is used to iodize salt.
	Imported salt is iodized. It is imported from Senegal, Namibia, Iran, and France.
	The intended level of iodization for imported salt is100 ppm.
	Salt iodine content at production level is assessed by manufacturer quality control checks using test kits (MBI).


Retail
	The average retail cost of salt is 50 F CFA per kilo.


Household Consumption
	The estimated daily per capita consumption of salt is 5 - 10 g/day. The estimated percent of adequately iodized salt consumed, as a national average is 82%. (Source: MICS 2000)

Other Programs Related to Control of IDD

Mass Media Campaigns

Advocacy is done via radio programs and TV spots.

Surveys of Iodized Salt

MICS/UNICEF 1998

Survey Results

Survey Level (producer/ retail/ household)	Date of Survey	Geographic area/ other grouping	Sample size	Sampling Method	% of samples with > 15 ppm	% of samples with > 30 ppm	Average and/or Range of Iodine Content
Household	2000	National		random	82%
Retailer	1999	National	2667	Reasoned		93%
Wholesalers	1999	National	301	Reasoned		96%

	MONITORING

Salt Iodine
Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt
	Sentinel site monitoring of iodization level is done at the household and retailers, while quality control is done at production and importation.


IDD Indicators
	The lab facility for biochemical measurements is the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun.


Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs
	National and state governments offer training, monitoring, quality control, and evaluation.

The only external agency involved with IDD is UNICEF, which provides funding and Test Kits.

Total IDD Program Funding History and Forecast for Country

Year	IDD Activity				Total $(000)
	Supplementation $(000) (if applicable)	Fortification $(000)	Other (specify)
	Supplementation $(000) (if applicable)	Fortification $(000)	Training/IEC	$(000)
2001
2002		100,000		60,000	160,000
2003		150,000		60,000	210,000
2004		150,000		40,000	190,000
2005		100,000		30,000	130,000

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA