Abstract:
Background: Iodine deficiency disorder, is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies
globally. Ethiopia is a country with high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder, which
continue to affect a large number of the country’s population. There was little evidence among
adolescents particularly in North east Ethiopia. So it was necessary and timely to study this
important issue in the adolescent age group.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of goiter and associated
factor among adolescents in Gazgibla Woreda, North East Ethiopia, from August 5 to 30, 2019.
Method: A Community based cross sectional study design was conducted among 596
adolescents who were selected using stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a
pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Adolescents were examined for the
presence or absence of goiter based on United Nation Children Funds, International Council for
the control of Iodine Deficiency and the World Health Organization criteria. Iodine level of salt
was measured by rapid test kit. Data were entered to EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS
version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model were fitted and
Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was
compute to identify the associated factors. Level of significant was considered at P-value <0.05.
Results: A total of 576 adolescents were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of
goiter among adolescents was, 42.5% (CI: 38.4%, 46.7%). The prevalence of grade one goiter
was 32.5% while grade two was 10%. Being female (AOR = 1.84, CI: 1.09, 3.14), family
history of goiter (AOR=2.93, CI: 1.74, 4.95), cabbage consumption at least once per week (AOR
= 5.69, CI: 2.67, 12.11), do not consume egg at all (AOR = 2.04, CI: 1.09, 3.84), and do not
consume meat at all (AOR = 3.12, CI: 1.30, 7.53), time of iodized salt adding during cooking
(AOR = 4.69, CI: 2.58, 8.52), and inadequate iodine level of house hold salt (AOR = 2.30, CI:
1.08, 4.89) were the factors associated with goiter among adolescents in Gazgibla woreda.
Conclussion፡The total goiter prevalence rate was very high and severe public health problem in
Gazgibla woreda. Being female, family history of goiter, iodine level of salt, time of add salt
while cooking, cabbage, egg and meat consumption were significantly associated factors with
goiter among adolesents.
