Differentials in Prevalence of Goitre among School Children (6-12 Years of Age) in Rural North-West, India

摘要

A cross – sectional study of prevalence of goitre and its association with certain Socio-cultural factors like age, sex, intake of iodizedon iodized salt, educational status of mother & income was conducted in children studying in different Govt. Schools of Miran Sahib Area of R.S. Pura Block, Jammu (India). 1610 children in the age group of 6-12 years were clinically assessed for the presence of goiter. The prevalence of goiter among children in 6-12 years was 12.1% (195/1610). No child with goitre grade 2 was found in the study. Prevalence of goitre was found to be high (20.96%) in children consuming non- iodized salt and was statistically significant. Prevalence of goitre was also found to be high (17.2%) in children from low income groups and also in children of illiterate mothers (16.6%), thus emphasizing the importance of these factors with the prevalence of Goitre.