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Iodine-induced goitre and high prevalence of anaemia among Saharawi refugee women

Henjum, Sigrun; Barikmo, Ingrid; Strand, Tor A.; Oshaug, Arne; Torheim, Liv Elin
Journal article, Peer reviewed
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URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10642/1447
Date
2011
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  • SAM - Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy [336]
Original version
Henjum, S., Barikmo, I., Strand, T. A., Oshaug, A., & Torheim, L. E. (2011). Iodine-induced goitre and high prevalence of anaemia among Saharawi refugee women. Public health nutrition, 15(8), 1512.   http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980011002886
Abstract
Objective: The main objective was to assess iodine status (thyroid volume (Tvol)

and urinary iodine concentration (UIC)) and their determinants in Saharawi

refugee women.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed during January–February 2007.

Tvol was measured by ultrasound and iodine concentration was analysed in

spot urine samples and in household drinking water. Anthropometry and Hb

concentration were measured and background variables were collected using

pre-coded questionnaires.

Setting: The survey was undertaken in four long-term refugee camps in the

Algerian desert.

Subjects: Non-pregnant women (n 394), 15–45 years old, randomly selected.

Results: Median (25th percentile–75th percentile (P25–P75)) UIC was 466

(294–725)mg/l. Seventy-four per cent had UIC above 300mg/l and 46% above

500mg/l. Median (P25–P75) Tvol was 9?4 (7?4–12?0) ml and the goitre prevalence

was 22 %. UIC was positively associated with iodine in drinking water and

negatively associated with breast-feeding, and these two variables explained 28%

of the variation in UIC. The mean (SD) Hb level was 11.8 (2.4) g/dl. In total 46%

were anaemic with 14 %, 25% and 7%, classified with respectively mild, moderate

and severe anaemia.

Conclusions: The Saharawi women had high UIC, high levels of iodine in

drinking water and increased Tvol and probably suffered from iodine-induced

goitre. The high prevalence of anaemia is considered to be a severe public health

concern. To what extent the excessive iodine intake and the anaemia have

affected thyroid function is unknown and should be addressed in future studies.

Keywords

Excess urinary iodine

Iodine-rich drinking water

Saharawi refuge women

Iron deficiency

Women’s micronutrient status is of particular importance

since it affects not only their own health, but also the

health of their children(1). Deficiencies of iodine and Fe

remain major public health problems, affecting .30% of

the global population(2,3). Insufficient iodine intake as well

as excess iodine intake may cause thyroid diseases(4).

Fe deficiency is the most common and widespread micronutrient

deficiency worldwide(3) and may have multiple

adverse effects on thyroid metabolism(5).

Refugees from Western Sahara have been settled in the

Algerian desert since 1975 and they are totally dependent

on food aid in the harsh, resource-poor desert environment.

The refugee population is experiencing a number

of challenges related to their food, nutrition and health

situation(6). Endemic goitre has been reported among

Saharawi schoolchildren and this is probably caused by

iodine excess(7–10), but further studies are required to

understand the aetiology. The main objective of the

present paper is to assess iodine status (thyroid volume

(Tvol) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC)) and their

determinants in Saharawi refugee women of childbearing

age. The secondary objective is to assess their prevalence

of anaemia.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Series
Public Health Nutrition;15(8)

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