Iodine-induced goitre and high prevalence of anaemia among Saharawi refugee women
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2011Metadata
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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/S1368980011002886Abstract
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.