Proper Utilization of Iodized Salt and Associated Factors among Rural Community of Hetosa District, Oromia Regional State, South East Ethiopia

Abstract

 Background: Iodine is one of the essential micronutrients for human physical and mental
development. However, little is known about households' use of iodized salt and associated
factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess utilization of iodized salt and associated factors.
Methods: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. In this study, a total of 603
participants were included. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the
participants. An iodine rapid test kit was used to determine the level of iodized salt utilization.
Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. In all analysis, P values
less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Result: In this study, the proper utilization of iodized salt among the participants was 38.4%.
Education status, knowledge, practice, and level of iodine content in salt were significantly
associated with utilization of iodized salt.
Conclusion: The households' utilization of proper iodized salt was low. Many factors affecting
the proper utilization of iodized salt were identified. Therefore, the regional authorities and
other concerned bodies should initiate effective strategies to improve the community's utilization
of iodized salt.