Behailu Merdekios

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Country: Ethiopia
Background: Medicine
Research Project: Factors influencing universal salt iodization in Ethiopi

BACKGROUND: In the past in the effort made to introduce iodine in regular daily diet several foods were considered as a vehicle. Iodization of salt is the common long term and sustainable solution that will insure iodine reaches the entire population. Salt is one of the few commodities which are consumed universally through out the year irrespective of age, sex, economic status or location. It is produced in few area of the world. So iodization of salt in these few areas is possible unlike production of other food products which are produced everywhere. Technology of salt iodization is simple to operate, maintain and no adverse chemical reaction while iodization. Addition of potassium iodide to salt does not make any colour change, taste or odour to salt. The cost of iodization is very low, which is less the 5% of the retail price of salt in most countries.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the research is to identify factors influencing universal salt iodisation to combat iodine deficiency disorder in Ethiopia and to suggest appropriate recommendations to improve the production, availability and sustainability of iodised salt in Ethiopia.

METHODOLOGY: The sample of ten people from government institutions, non-government organisations and UN agency were in depth interviewed and the date was analysed by grounded theory of qualitative method of analysis.

RESULTS: Results showed that inadequate awareness on the part of policy makers, the salt industry and the general public of the magnitude of the problem and its alleviation through salt iodisation. Most of the country’s salt is produced in primitive ways of production which has contributed to the failure of the iodization programme in Ethiopia. There is a lack of coordination of the program between federal and regional government, salt producers and stake holders.

CONCLUSION: Information, awareness creation and education aimed at the policy and decision makers as well as the general public should be the major component of USI. Awareness creation programs should target people living in the most vulnerable areas, the salt industry and the Afar region where most of the salt is produced.

Key Words: USI, coordination, awareness, capacity building.