Impact of education intervention on prevention of iodine deficiency disorder in Dharwad Taluk, Karnataka

Goitre has been a health concern ever since the beginning of human race and the Greeks are reputed to have used burnt sponges successfully but quite empirically in the treatment of goitre. It has been estimated that in India 200 million are living in iodine deficient areas and 71 million are suffering from goitre and other iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) (Taneja 2004). Education is one of the means to prevent IDD and promote consumption of iodised salt. In view of this the present study was undertaken in Dharwad  Taluk, Karnataka with the objective to test the practice adopted by women regarding iodine deficiency disorder and to identify the impact of education intervention on their knowledge regarding IDD. The sample consisted of 240 urban and rural women of self-help groups (SHGs) selected randomly. Personal information schedule was prepared and used to collect the data. The results revealed that there was good practice of usage and storage of salt. However there is no 100 per cent use of iodized salt in rural areas. It was observed that imparting nutrition education was important to promote consumption of iodized salt to prevent IDD.