PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF GOITER AMONG ADULTS IN YEM SPECIAL WOREDA SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA COMMUNITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY METHOD

Abstract

Background: Goiter is a major public health problem in Ethiopia and affects a large number of people where such evidence is lacking in the study area. In addition, clear evidence in the context of specific risk factors of goes among community dwellers is critical for better interventions. Objectives ;-This study was aimed to identify prevalence of goiter and associated factors among adults in Yem special woreda North west, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 adults from June 1-2022-August 30-2022. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Adults were assessed for goiter based on World Health Organization criteria. The level of iodine in household salt samples was tested using a rapid test kit. Data was entered into Epi info version 7 and exported into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. for statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to control all possible confounders and to identify predictors of goiter. The odds ratio along with the 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at P_.05 value .Results: A total of 396 respondents were interviewed with a response rate of 100 %. The prevalence of goiter among adults was 157 (39.65% ) .131(33.08%) and 26(6.57%%) were made grade one and two goiters respectively. Drinking unprotected spring water were 6.84 times more likely to have goiter( (AOR = 6.899, CI: 3.743, 12.715),drinking river water (AOR=18.931,CI:3.979,90.070 and storing salt with out container cover/open container) (AOR=3.409,CI:1.139,10.202) were factors associated with goiter among adults. conclusion The prevalence of goiter was very high in the study area. Therefore, the health sector of the special woreda should invest efforts on improving the community’s awareness through disseminating key messages about using iodized salt container with cover, building un protected spring water and ensure proper intake of iodine rich foods