Poor Knowledge and Practices Related to Iodine Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation in Australian Women: Pre- and Post-Iodine Fortification

Abstract

A before-after review was undertaken to assess whether knowledge and practices related to iodine nutrition, supplementation and fortification has improved in Australian women since the introduction of mandatory iodine fortification in 2009. Surveys of pregnant (n = 139) and non-pregnant (n = 75) women in 2007–2008 are compared with surveys of pregnant (n = 147) and lactating women (n = 60) one to two years post-fortification in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was completed and dietary intake of iodine was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. A generally poor knowledge about the role and sources of iodine in the diet remained after fortification. Post-fortification, iodine-containing supplements were being taken by 60% (up from 20% pre-fortification) and 45% of pregnant and lactating women, respectively. Dairy foods were the highest contributors to dietary iodine intake (57%–62%). A low intake of fish and seafood resulted in this food group contributing only 3%–8% of total intake. A low level of public awareness regarding the role of iodine in health supports the need for public health strategies in addition to fortification, such as an accompanying consumer education campaign, increased uptake of supplementation, and on-going monitoring.

Knowledge of the Importance of Iodine in Nutrition among Adults in Latvia

“…The present study helps to understand what type of public actions need to be implemented to raise public awareness or maintain it at a sufficient level. Assessment of knowledge about iodine is conducted mostly in regions were iodine deficiency is more severe (Jooste et al, 2005;Girma et al, 2012;Khan et al, 2012) or for vulnerable groups like pregnant women (Charlton et al, 2012;O'Kane et al, 2015). The main findings of the studies were that even for vulnerable groups the level of awareness was low and that the level of awareness increased with the level of education and socio-economic situation of respondents.…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about goiter among population in Shendi provence. River Nile state of Sudan

“…16 The result of our study show that more than half of respondent (56%) have knowledge about iodine deficiency disorder. Niksic et al reported that only half of the participants (49.1%) know of iodine deficiency disorder.…”

“…Charlton, et al in study conducted in Australian women reported that knowledge of dietary sources of iodine was also found to be poor. 16 Jooste, et al showed that, only 15.4% of respondents correctly identified iodized salt as the primary dietary source of iodine. 4 Sebotsa et al showed that knowledge on the main source of iodine in food consumed by the people in South Africa, a higher percentage of patients (76.7%) lacked knowledge of iodine.…”

“…A low intake of fish and seafood resulted in this food group contributing only 3%-8% of total intake. 16 …”

Iodine Deficiency in Pregnant Women Pre- and Post-Mandatory Iodine Fortification in Australia - An Epidemiological Review

“…Among pregnant women in 2011-2012, 60%-66% were taking supplements containing iodine [43]. This means that up to 40% of women were still not taking recommended iodine supplements, which the authors suggested might be due to women not being informed about the need for supplementation by their antenatal care providers, despite there being written advice on supplements provided in public health facilities across NSW.…”