How Salt Iodization Using Knapsack Hampers Universal Salt Iodization (USI) in Ethiopia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of Knapsack on quality of Salt iodization and USI program in Ethiopia. Methods: Samples of Iodized salt were collected in two different times with two different groups of experts and were tested and analysed indipendatly. The samples were collected during joint monitoring visit at afar salt processing sites and during routine monitoring at semera check point. Results: It was found that the coffecient of Variation (CoV) were 80.4% and 101.1%, adequately iodized salt wwere only 38.46% and 35% and the range were 99.3 ppm and 262.2 ppm. Conclusions: The Coefficient of Variation (CoV) beyond 20% is unacceptable and the method of processing providing the CoV beyond 20% will be concidered unacceptable. Therefore, Use of knapsack for salt iodization should be discontinued and mechanisms that could improve the sustainalbe supply of Iodized salt to the country should be given in due consideration.