A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY OF IODIZED SALT CONSUMPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL IN TRIBAL AREA OF NORTH INDIA.

Abstract

Background & Aim: Iodine deciency is prevalent but preventable cause of mental retardation, globally. In India, an estimated 167 million people are at risk of developing IDDs. Despite of the universal salt iodization in India, only 71 % of the households were consuming this by 2009.The present survey was conducted to estimate the uptake of adequately iodized salt in the tribal district of Himachal Pradesh. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in tribal Distt. Kinaaur of H.P. A total of 10 clusters were taken for survey and 18 -20 households per cluster were chosen randomly. The unit of study taken was a household. Results: A total of 196 households in Kinnaur were surveyed for iodized salt coverage, using MBI salt Iodine detection kit. The household coverage of adequately iodized salt in current survey was found to be 75%.. Conclusion: The district Kinnaur had transformed its phase from iodine decient to iodine sufcient. Majority of the respondents followed faulty storage practices and were not aware of right storage and cooking practices. More than half of respondents were unaware of importance of iodine / iodized salt and its role in normal growth and prevention of diseases.