Iodine is essential for good function of the thyroid, and its
deficiency is of public-health importance in Ethiopia. Iodization of
salt is an effective and sustainable strategy to prevent and control
iodine deficiency in large populations. The effectiveness of
salt-iodization programmes depends on the conservation of io-dine
concentration in salt at various stages of the supply-chain. The
overall objective of the study was to assess the loss of iodine in salt
from production to consumption and to estimate the proportion of
adults, especially pregnant women, at risk of dietary iodine
insufficiency. A cross-sectional study was conducted during
February-April 2007 in northern Ethiopia. Iodine concentrations of salt
samples from producers (n=41), retailers (n=7), and consumers (n=32)
were determined using iodiometric titration. A risk assess-ment was
conducted for dietary iodine insufficiency among adults, including
pregnant women, using a semi-probabilistic approach. The concentration
of iodine in the sampled salts decreased by 57% from the production
site to the consumers. The assessment of exposure showed that adults in
63% (n=20) of the households, including 90% (n=29) with pregnant women,
were at risk of insufficient iodine intake. A monitoring and evaluation
system needs to be established to ensure adequate supply of iodine
along the distribution chain. Special attention is needed for the
retailers and consumers. At these levels, dissemina-tion of information
regarding proper storage and handling of iodized salt is necessary to
address the re-ported loss of iodine from salt