Equatorial Guinea Vitamin A

Eritrea

Iodine

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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
Goiter  
Most Recent Goiter Survey  
Date: May 1998
Groups Surveyed: School children 9 - 10 yrs. old.  NOTE: see sample method for inclusions.
Sample Size: 3300
Sampling Method: Sixty primary schools as clusters were randomly selected and from each school 55 children aged 9 - 10 years were randomly selected.  However, if the total number of students in the school is less than 55, then the sample is taken from students aged 8 to 11 and if still 55 could not be achieved, those aged 7 and 6 were included. 50.6% of the total selected were aged 8-9 years and 48.4%were 10-11 years old with almost equal distribution between male and female. Only 1% of the study population was composed of other ages (0.5% 6-7 and another 0.5% 12 years old).  All of these selected 55 students in each cluster were examined for goiter grading and their household salt tested by rapid test kit and titration methods.  Thirty-five children of the 55 were then randomly selected to submit urine
Estimated Goiter Prevalence:  (As reported)

Region/Group

Sample size

Population in region/group       (if available)

Prevalence in sample %
       
Children 8 - 12 yrs 3300   36.6%

 
 
Urinary Iodine
Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey - Same as goiter survey above. 
Estimated IDD Prevalence:

Region/Group*

Sample size

Population in region/group       (if available)

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

Prevalence in sample %
         
Children 8 - 11 yrs 3300   Not Reported 25.3%
 
TSH - Has not been measured
 
 
 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION
 

Legislation on IDD
    

IDD legislation in Eritrea was finalized and submitted for enactment in 2002.  It has not yet passed.
 
Government Agency to Address IDD
    

MOH.  Their function is coordination and monitoring.
    

Contact information:   Salma Mohamed
   
     

PROGRAM DATA
Supplementation
     Oral supplementation with iodized oil capsules is not currently used.
Fortification
Production and Importation of Salt
    

There is production of iodized salt.
    

The total annual national production of iodized salt is ***Not Reported***.
    

*  The intended level of salt iodization at the point of production is KIO3 40 – 60 ppm
     Large-scale of salt iodization started in 1996.
     Approximately how many salt producers are there now? Two large-scale and many small-scale producers.
     Potassium Iodate is used to iodize salt.
     The packaging method used is 50 kg bags, but one large-scale producer is now using 10kg bags and will also have 500 gm and 1 kg.
     Salt is imported from Saudi Arabia and Yemen in small quantities.
     The intended level of salt iodization for imported salt is ***Not Reported***.
     97% of salt samples collected from 736 households were found to contain iodine. It was only about 3% of the surveyed households that were found to use not-iodated salt. The level of iodine in the salt, however, showed great differences from households.  The samples were tested with test kits in the field and also assessed in the central lab using titration.

Household Samples

Iodine content (PPM)

Field Test by Test Kit

Lab by titration

0

42.4

3.08

<25

1.5

44.29

25 – 49.9

3.4

7.96

50 – 74.9

14.6

15.79

75 – 99.9

35.1

21.43

>= 100

2.6

6.43

Missing

0.4

1.02

Retailers

Iodine content (PPM)

Field Test by Test Kit (%)

Lab by titration (%)

0

13.1

0.13

<25

1.6

14.8

25 – 49.9

1.1

9.7

50 – 74.9

15.3

24.9

75 – 99.9

59.0

7.9

>= 100

9.7

11.9

Missing

0.1

3.3
Retail
   

*  The average retail cost of salt is 1 Nakfa per kg = 0.07 US cents.  All salt is the same price irrespective of iodization.
 
Household Consumption
     The estimated consumption of salt is 10 g. per capita per day.
     The estimated percent of adequately iodized salt consumed by all people is 97%.*                                      
  * Source: Preliminary report of a study done by the MOH, Eritrea.
 
Iodized Salt Surveys 

    

UNICEF MICS 1998
Survey Results

 Survey Level (producer/ retail/ household)

 Date of Survey

 Sample size

 Sampling Method

%  of samples with > 15 ppm

% of samples with  > 25 ppm

Average and/or Range of Iodine Content

 

            

 Household

 1998 736   80% 51.6% Not Reported

 Retail

1998

729

samples collected from retail shops in the same village as a sampled school

 

54.4%

 

 
Other Programs Related to Control of IDD
Mass Media Campaigns
    

Not yet.
 

Community-Based Programs
     They are planned to be integrated with the ECD programs.
   
 
 
MONITORING
 
Salt Iodine
Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt
     Producers monitor their own products.
     The surveys described above are being repeated. 
     There is no monitoring at the community level, but planned to be introduced via ECD.
     

IDD Indicators
     There is no monitoring of goiter rate except from surveys.
     There are lab facilities available for biochemical measurements in the central lab of the MOH.
     
     
PROGRAM RESOURCES
 
Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs

 

Implementing Agency

 

Description of Activities

National/State Governments

Department of Industry in salt iodation

Ministry of Health in coordination, monitoring

 

External Agencies*

UNICEF in assisting in USI, quality control, monitoring, etc

OMNI/TASC in advocacy

 

 

Total IDD Program Funding History and Forecast for Country  -  Not reported