Panama
| Nicaragua | Vitamin A |
Panama |
Iron | Paraguay |
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| MN Project Home Page | Bookmarks | |
| Country Index | Current Situation | |
| Country Profile | Epidemiological Data | |
| Policy & Legislation | ||
| Program Data | ||
| Monitoring | ||
| Program Resources | ||
CURRENT SITUATION |
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The national prevalence of iodine deficiency goiter in school children is 10.2%. The Azuero region is slightly higher with a prevalence of 12.1%. Salt iodization is mandatory at a concentration of 20-60ppm. In the last five years, there have been three national media campaigns to promote good iodine status. Several external groups help to implement the salt iodization program in Panama. |
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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA |
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| Goiter | ||
| Most Recent Goiter Survey | ||
| Date: | 1999 - National Survey | |
| Groups Surveyed: | School children 6 - 12 yrs. old | |
| Sample Size: | 2,959 | |
| Sampling Method: | The sample was stratified by region: Azuero and the rest of the country and also stratified by the following three parameters: Province, type of school (public or private), and locality (urban or rural). The indicator used for goiter was palpation of the thyroid gland. Using a two-stage cluster design, 50 and 60 clusters (schools) were selected for Azuero and the rest of the country with 25-30 students/ school selected at the second stage. The clusters were selected with a probability proportional to size. | |
| Estimated Goiter Prevalence: (palpable goiter in children 6-12 years) | ||
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*Note: Estimated population affected calculated using US Census population data on Panama for 2000 for the age group 5-14 years old. www.census.gov |
| Urinary Iodine | |
| Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey | |
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The sample size for the urinary iodine study is smaller due to the fact that the numeric variables require a smaller quantity of categories. The calculated required size was 600 at the national level. This study also used a two stage cluster design with 50 and 60 schools selected with 5-6 students per school. |
| Estimated Prevalence of IDD: Indicator low urinary iodine (< 5mcg/dL) |
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*Note: Estimated population affected calculated using US Census population data on Panama for 2000 for the age group 5-14 years old. www.census.gov |
POLICY AND LEGISLATION |
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Legislation on IDD |
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There is legislation governing IDD in Panama. It was passed in 1955 and has been revised since. Salt iodization is mandatory at the level of 20-60 ppm. |
| Government Agency to Address IDD | |
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The Ministry of Health deals with IDD. Its role includes coordination, monitoring, and funding IDD prevention programs. |
PROGRAM DATA |
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| Supplementation | |
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No reported data. |
| Fortification | |
| Production and Importation of Salt | |
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22,270MT of iodized salt is produced each year. |
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The intended level of iodization at the point of production is 20-60ppm. |
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Salt iodization began in 1970. |
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There are currently 6 producers of salt and all of these produce iodized salt. |
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Iodized salt is also imported from various countries. |
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The intended level of iodization for imported salt is 20-60ppm. |
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Salt iodization is assessed through internal quality control measures at each salt plant. The MOH periodically assess the iodization level in plants and in stores. |
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Greater than 95% of salt production reaches the target iodine level. |
| Retail | |
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| Household Consumption | |
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No information provided. |
| Other Programs | |
| Education Campaigns | |
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There have been three national media campaigns to promote good iodine status in the last 5 years. |
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At the community level, there have been seminars and distance courses for health personnel, salt producers and school teachers. Also, educational materials about IDD have been distributed to communities. |
MONITORING |
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| Salt Iodine | |
| Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt | |
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There is periodic monitoring of iodine levels in salt at plants, in stores and in cattle farms. There is no community based monitoring of salt iodine. |
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IDD Indicators |
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There is no monitoring of the goiter rate or other IDD indicators from clinic/hospital records or other sources. The Central Laboratory from the Ministry of Health provides biochemical measurements. |
PROGRAM RESOURCES |
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| Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs | ||||||||||||||||||
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