Determinants of Iodated Salt Consumption in Households In The Kintampo Sub-District

Abstract

About 1.6 billion people in the world are known to be at risk o f developing Iodine Deficiency Disorder, IDD (WHO, 1994). Ghana has a fair share o f this public health menace. A study conducted in 1995 in 30 districts indicated that 33 percent o f the districts had severe IDD levels requiring immediate attention (Asibey-Berko et al, 1994). Universal Salt Iodation, backed by legislation, (the Food and Amendment Act 523) was adopted as the strategy, with a target o f achieving total elimination o f IDD by the year 2001 (Agble et al, 1999). One o f the key indicators used is that, at least, 90 percent o f households should be consuming adequately iodized salt. The process for achieving this goal has been rather slow and arduous considering the fact that Ghana is a net exporter of iodated salt. Small scale producers who have not been adequately integrated into the programme, continue to smuggle cheaper un-iodated salt onto the market. Basically, districts, like the Kintampo, District, are responsible for the promotion of iodated salt to protect their populations from IDD. An Iodated salt promotion programme has been on going in the district since 1995. A quick assessment in 1998 found a low consumption level o f 8.1 percent in the district. Since then, education has been intensified. This cross-sectional study was carried out to re-assess consumption levels and to examine the determinants o f household iodated salt consumption in the Kintampo sub- District. A sample o f 148 persons aged at least 15 years, who normally cooked household meals were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Samples o f salt from the selected households were tested for iodine using test kits. Additionally, a census of salt traders and interviews were carried out to obtain information on availability o f iodated salt. The study revealed that, the level o f awareness was high (80%), but knowledge on goitre was very low (20%). Prevalence has increased substantially from 8.1 percent in 1998 to 67 percent in 2002. Consumption in Kintampo (70.7%) was higher than in rural areas (62.1%) and about 54 percent o f households using iodated salt were not aware because of re-bagging. Factors that enhanced consumption o f iodated salt at the household level included, male heading of household, smallness o f household, knowledge on goitre and benefits of iodated salt. Other factors included formal educational attainment above primary level (at least 6 years o f schooling), urban residence, availability o f iodated salt and the ability to afford iodated salt. Mass media was found to be the most effective media (80.3%) for promoting iodated salt. Bulk packaging (25kg and 50 kg) and subsequent re-bagging into small portions by retailers as well as pre-packaging o f 250 gram weight sachets appears to be making iodated salt more available and affordable.