PREVALENCE OF GOITER AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN GODERE DISTRICT, GAMBELLA REGION, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid. It appears when the supply of iodine to the thyroid gland is inadequate. The determinants of goiter in pregnant women are interwined with different factors such as poor knowledge and inadequate intake of iodized salt and frequent intake of goitergenic diets. Moreover very few studies are highlighted the situation of goiter in pregnant women throughout the country even none in Gambella. Thus this study will address the problem and improve the situation. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of goiter and associated factors among pregnant women in Godere district, Gambella region, southwest Ethiopia, from February 01-30, 2017 Methods: A community based cross sectional study design and cluster sampling method was used to select 609 pregnant women in Godere district, Gambella region southwest Ethiopia. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data and rapid spot testing of iodine from each household was taken to check the adequacy of iodine in salt from their daily consumption at household level, finally assessment of goiter was done based on WHO classification. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.2 and export to SPSS 20.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression test was used with 95% confidence interval to test the associations between dependent and independent variables. Then variables found to be P<0.2 in the bivariate analysis was taken as candidate for multivariate analysis. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to test the overall statistically significant variables. Result: The Prevalence of goiter was 29% (95% CI: 25, 33) (16.7% grade one and 12.3% grade two). The odds of having goiter increased with age of 15-24 yrs were [AOR=2.57(1.94, 6.58)], women from poor family[AOR =2.17(1.34, 7.55)], not knowledgeable about iodized salt [AOR= 2.21(1.32, 3.89)), cassava consumption >_3 times per weeks[AOR=2.45(1.32, 7.90)]and cabbage consumption >_3 times per weeks[AOR=4.56(2.15, 11.07)]were significantly associated with goiter. Conclusion: The result found from this study showed that iodine deficiency disorder is moderate public health problem among pregnant women in this study area. Age, economical status, knowledge of iodized salt, and frequent intake of goitergenic diets are predictors of goiter. Thus the local health bureau, health extension workers and concerned bodies should give emphasis on iii creation of awareness about adequate utilization of iodized salt and risk of frequent intake goitergenic diets for the community through behavioral change communication