Mexico Vitamin A

Nicaragua

Iodine

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Program Data
Monitoring
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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
   
Goiter  
Most Recent Goiter Survey Thyroid Mobil Project
Date: 1999
Groups Surveyed: Two specific zones/areas where problem was frequent
Sample Size: 600 people
Sampling Method: Determined pattern of problem and took a survey of those individuals affected by this problem. 
.Estimated Prevalence of IDD:  
.

Area

Sample Size

Indicator/Prevalence (%)

Rivas

400

 

Managua

200

 

National Total

600

2.5

.
Urinary Iodine
Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey       National Micronutrient Survey
Date: 2000
Groups Surveyed: Children 6-9 years old
Sample Size:
Sampling Method:
Estimated Prevalence of IDD:  Indicator < 10 µg/dL

Area

Sample Size

Indicator/Prevalence (%)

Pacific- Urban

164

11.9

Pacific-Rural

136

16.4

Managua

116

  7.7

Central- Urban

119

  7.6

Central- Rural

194

22.4

Atlantic- Urban 

  63

  7.7

Atlantic- Rural

  94

19.7

National Total

886

13.4

 
 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION
 

Legislation on IDD
    

There is IDD legislation in Nicaragua and it has been significantly revised over the years. 

     Iodization of salt mandatory with a mandated level of salt iodization at 30-60 mg/kg.
 
Government Agency to Address IDD
    

The government agency that deals with IDD is the Ministry of Health which functions as both a coordination agency and a monitoring agency.    
    

National Commission on Micronutrients and the convention between the Ministry of Health and the Sugar Industry are also coordinated through the Ministry of Health.
    

Contact information:  Dr. Aurora Velásques, General Director of Health Services.
     

PROGRAM DATA
Supplementation
    

Oral supplementation with iodized oil capsules is not currently used.

Legislation on IDD
Fortification
Production and Importation of Salt
    

There is iodized salt production in Nicaragua.
    

 Large-scale salt iodization started in 1978.
    

There are currently 200-300 salt producers.
    

Potassium iodate is used to iodize salt.
    

Bags weighing 1 pound are used for packaging. 

     Salt is imported from USA, Costa Rica, Honduras and occasionally from Europe.  These salts are iodized. 
    

Salt iodine content at production level is assessed by personal from the Ministry of Health who follow MINSA guidelines.

    

Assessment of salt production that achieves target iodine level is done at the plants but is overseen by the Surveillance  Team from the Central Department of Nutrition Control and includes local hygiene teams.  
    

*   There are no other measures of fortification with iodine in widespread use.
Fortification
Retail
   

*   Not Reported
- Iodized salt: $0.22 per pound
Household Consumption
     The estimated national percent of consumed iodized salt is 90% (>15 ppm) and 50.9% (30-60 ppm)
     The estimated percent of adequately iodized salt consumed is unreported.                                        
(Source for above information on IDD is from the Second National Micronutrient Survey and Systems Information from the Ministry of Health.
 
MONITORING
 
Salt Iodine
Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt
     Surveillance in the households as well as surveillance in plants and exports through the Surveillance System of the Interventions in Nutrition.
     Surveys designed to be completed annually

IDD Indicators
     There is no ongoing monitoring of goiter rate.
     
PROGRAM RESOURCES
 
Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs
     External agencies such as UNICEF, MI provide assistance in the surveillance and revolving fund for the premix.
 
IDD Program Funding History and Projections - Not reported.