Evaluation of Iodine Status Among 6–12-Year-Old Children and Iodized Salt Quality in Khogiani District, Afghanistan

Abstract

Despite reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighting iodine deficiency in various regions of Afghanistan, empirical data for the Khogiani district remain scarce, despite clinical signs suggesting its presence. "This study aimed to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency among children aged 6–12 years and to evaluate the quality of iodized edible salt in the Khogiani District”  A cross-sectional community-based and experimental design was employed. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction (spectrophotometric method), while iodine levels in salt samples were determined via iodometric titration. The sample size was calculated using the Cochrane formula, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants were selected via convenience sampling. The overall prevalence of iodine deficiency (UIC: 50–99 µg/L) was 13%, with 1.8% of children exhibiting palpable goiter (grades 1–2). The highest deficiency rates were observed in Wazir and Pirakhel villages. Additionally, 75.1% of salt samples had inadequate iodine content (<15 ppm), with powdered salt being particularly unreliable. Mild iodine deficiency persists among children in Khogiani, and a significant proportion of iodized salt fails to meet the required standards. Public health interventions should prioritize stricter salt iodization monitoring and alternative strategies to ensure adequate iodine intake