Abstract:
Background:Iodine is one of the trace elements that are needed for thyroid hormone production
and synthesis. Inadequate iodine in the body leads to deficiency of these hormones, which affect
the function of vital organs including muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and the developing brain. As
to my knowledge there was no studies found that assessed the level of knowledge, attitude and
practices related to iodized salt in the study area.
Objective:To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of iodized salt utilization and associated
factors at household level.
Methods:Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 01 to April 01,
2021 in Bure Town administration. Sampling frame was developed from the family folder of a
health extension worker available at respective kebeles and the first household from each kebele
was identified through the lottery method. Finally, a total of 597 households were selected using
systematic sampling technique. Data were entered into Epi info version 3.5.1 and exported to
SPSS version 20 for cleaning and analysis. Factors that showed association on the bivariate
analysis P-value ≤ 0.2 were entered in to multivariate logistic regressionmodel. The strength of
statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and Pvalue <0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of good knowledge, positive Attitude and good practice of
iodized salt utilization at Household Level in BureTown Administration were: 38.9%, 40.4%
and 35.7% respectively, On multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for other
variables, residence of the respondents in rural [p ≤ 0.001, AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.07-0.22],
marital status of being married [p ≤0.001, AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.9] and occupationbeing
employed [p ≤0.001, AOR = 14, 95% CI: 6.5-33.3] were independent significant predictor of
good knowledge. Similarly, age of the respondents >=45yrs [p ≤0.001, AOR = 5.6, 95% CI: 3.4-9.1], residence, in urban areas [p ≤0.001, AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.1-5.0] showed a significant
association with positive attitude towards iodized salt use. Finally, educational status of being
collage and above [p ≤0.001, AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.3-7.3], residence in urban areas [p ≤0.001,
AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.8-4.8] and occupational statusof the respondents being house servant [p ≤
0.001, AOR = 13.7, 95% CI: 3.9-17] were independentsignificant predictors of good practice.
Conclusion and recommendation: Knowledge, attitude and practice on utilization of iodized
salt at household level in the study area were poor compared to 95% of the national goal of
universal salt iodization (USI) in Ethiopia. Occupational status, marital status, and residency of
participants were associated factor with knowledge. Age and residency of participants were
associated factor with attitude on iodized salt utilization at the household level. And
Occupational status, educational status, and residency of participants were associated factor with
practice about iodized salt utilization at the household level. The results imply the need for health
education targeting rural residents, those with occupation of farmers and those who cannot read
and write to enhance proper iodized salt utilization in the study area.
Key word: IodizedSalt, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Bure, Ethiopia.