Abstract:
Introduction: All populations are at risk for iodine deficiency, but pregnant women are the most vulnerable groups particularly for those in resource limiting setting like Ethiopia. However, there is paucity of literature in these population groups and study area. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13 to April 25/2017. A total of 378 pregnant women were included in the study, selected via systematic random sampling technique. Pretested structured questionnaire based interview was used. Urinary Iodine concentration, and hematocrit were determined by spectrophotometer using Sandell-kolhtoff reaction and hematological machine respectively. The binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with iodine deficiency. Interpretation was made on the basis of CI and P-value. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to show the strength and direction of association. Result: A total of 378 pregnant women with response a rate of 94% were participated in the study. The overall subclinical iodine deficiency among pregnant women was found to be 60.5% (95% CI: 55%, 65.5%).With the Midian of 137μg/L. Being governmental employer[AOR=0.42(95% CI: 0.1=20, 0.87)],cabbage consumption twice and more times in a week[AOR=2.35 (95% CI: 1.44, 3.82)], women who never consume maize in the last one week[AOR=0.29 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.48)], economic status, being at the second poorer [AOR=2.7(95% CI: 1.24,5.89)], gestational age, being at second trimester[AOR= 2.43(95% CI: 1.37, 4.32)]were factors associated with iodine deficiency. Conclusion and recommendation: In this study, sub-clinical iodine deficiency among pregnant women was found to be mildly iodine deficient. Husband’s employment, cabbage, Maize consumption, wealth status, and gestational age were factors associated
with iodine deficiency. Therefore, appropriate nutrition education and means of economical enhancement should be done.