Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10

A Study to Assess the Iodine Level in the Salt and Salt Preservation Practices among Homemakers of Selected Households at Mangaluru

1MSc. Nursing, Department of Community Health Nursing, Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte

2HOD, Department of Community Health Nursing, Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte

3Asst. Prof., Department of Community Health Nursing, Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte

4HOD, Dept. of Research, Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding Author: Ms. Reziya Hafeez, MSc. Nursing, Department of Community Health Nursing, Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 575018 e-mail: reziyahafeez@gmail.com Contact No.: 7624993886, 7006215813

Online published on 23 December, 2019.

Abstract

Salt iodization is an accepted fact worldwide to correct the deficiency of iodine. It is a long chain of transport of iodized salt from the manufacturing site to the consumer's home. During the process, it is said that around one quarter to half proportion of fortified iodine can lose.

The descriptive study assessed the iodine level in the salt and salt preservation practices among homemakers.

Iodine Spot Testing Kit was used to assess the iodine level in the salt and an observational checklist (9 items) and a self-reported rating scale (6 items) on the salt preservation practices was used to collect data from homemakers.

32 (31.06%) of salt samples were moderately iodized with iodine level of 7–14 ppm. Most of the households, 62 (60.2%) were practicing inappropriate salt preservation practices. There is a significant association of salt preservation practice scores with age (χ2 = 16.45, p = 0.001), education (χ2 = 44.57, p = 0.001)and experience in managing the kitchen (χ2 = 38.53, p = 0.001).

IEC activities can play a great role to improve the knowledge of homemakers regarding appropriate salt preservation practices.

Keywords

Iodine, salt preservation practices and iodine in salt