IODINE STATUS AND THYROID VOLUME AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN: APPROACH IN METHODOLOGY OF SARAWAK IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDER SURVEY 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among Sarawakian school children has been highlighted as substantial public health problem. It has mandated universal salt iodization (USI) implemention in Sarawak started since 2008. This paper describes the approach in methodology of Sarawak IDD Survey 2018 which aimed to determine the current status of IDD among school children in Sarawak after 10 years of USI implementation.

Method: The IDD survey was conducted between July and September 2018 involving all 12 divisions in Sarawak. 30 schools were selected via multistage proportionate-to-population size sampling technique and 1200 school children were randomly selected via systematic sampling.

Results: All selected schools participated in the survey, which resulted in a 100% school’s response rate. A total of 988 school children participated in the survey, with overall response rates of 82.3%. 

Conclusion: The present study findings will highlight the impact of mandatory USI towards the iodine level among school children in Sarawak.

Keywords: Iodine deficiency disorders, total goiter rate, universal salt iodinization, Sarawak.