gms | German Medical Science

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are highly prevalent in the Gambia with dire consequences for the population especially women and children (National Nutrition Policy (2010–2020)). Universal Salt Iodisation, a strategy to improve access to iodine was adopted by WHO/UNICEF. This strategy was implemented by the Gambia to enhance the nutritional status of its citizens. It is towards this background that, this research seeks to determine the adequacy of iodine is the salts used in the study area. 200 households were visited and salt samples were collected for analyses. The results indicated that 3.5% (n=7) of the households has adequate amounts of iodine.

Consequently, the research revealed that the iodine content of salt in the study area fell short of the universally acceptable concentration. Further research with a wider scope is required to validate this finding.