Zambia Vitamin A

Zimbabwe

Iodine

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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
Goiter
Most Recent Goiter Survey: Not Reported
 
Urinary Iodine
Most Recent Urinary Iodine Survey
    Zimbabwe National Micronutrient Survey, 1999
    Urine Iodine was used as an indicator to measure the impact of the IDD control programme.  Casual urine samples were collected from 847 children in the age group 6 - 14 years and analyzed at the Government Analyst Laboratory.
 
Estimated Prevalence of IDD:  Indicator < 100 microgram/L
 

Region/Group

Sample size

Prevalence in Sample

Est. Pop. with Low Urinary Iodine*

Median Urinary Iodine Level
Children 6 - 14 yrs. 847 14.8% 560455 245 mcg/l

 * Estimated population affected was calculated using population figures provided by the Zimbabwe National Micronutrient Survey Report, 1999.
 
TSH - Not Reported
 
 
 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION
 

Legislation on IDD
    

IDD legislation in Zimbabwe was passed in 1995.  Iodization of salt is mandatory at the level of 30 - 50 ppm. 

Government Agency to Address IDD
    

The government agency that deals with IDD is the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.  They handle both coordination and monitoring.
    

Contact information:  Not Provided
   
     

PROGRAM DATA
Supplementation
     Oral supplementation with iodized oil capsules is not currently used.  It's use was ceased in 1992 when most of the imported salt was iodized.
Fortification
Production and Importation of Salt
    

There is no iodized salt production.
    

Iodized salt is imported from Botswana and South Africa.
    

The intended level of iodization in imported salt is 30 - 50 ppm.
     Salt is imported from Botswana and Namibia.
    

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

*  The average retail cost of salt was not reported.
 
Household Consumption
     The estimated daily per capita consumption of salt was not reported.
     The estimated percent of adequately iodized salt consumed by all people is 93.2%.*                                      
  * Source: 1999 Zimbabwe National Micronutrient Survey
 
Iodized Salt Surveys

    

Iodine concentration in household salt in South Africa (conducted in 1998) - household level.
     Zimbabwe National IDD Survey (conducted in 1998) - household level.
   In addition, the iodine status of the Zimbabwe population was assessed using both processes and impact indicators.  Salt available for human consumption was tested for the presence of iodine using a field testing kit.  A total of 1190 salt samples were tested.
Survey Results

 

Survey Level

(producer/ retail/ household)

 

Date of Survey

 

Geographic area/ other grouping

 

Sample size

 

Sampling Method

%  of samples with < 30 ppm

% of samples with  > 90 ppm

Household

1999

National

1190

 

 28.3%

2.2%
Other Programs Related to Control of IDD - None reported.
 
MONITORING
 
Salt Iodine
Current monitoring activities for iodine levels in salt
     Monthly quarterly collection surveillance done in every two years.  Salt is titrated and field tested.
     The surveys described above are being repeated. 

IDD Indicators
     There is a national lab for urinary iodine testing and salt tritration.
     There is no monitoring of goiter rate.
     
     
PROGRAM RESOURCES
 
Donor and Implementing Agencies Involved in IDD Programs
     The national governments activities include planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating, as well as providing technical and material support.
     UNICEF is the only external agency reported, however no description of activities was provided.