Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background/Objectives: With the rising trend of out-of-home dining in China, the use of iodized salt (IS) in eating-out venues plays a key role in preventing iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). However, the coverage rate of iodized salt (CRIS) and the utilization rate of adequately iodized salt (URAIS) in these venues in China remain underexplored, potentially undermining IDD prevention strategies. This study aims to assess the CRIS and URAIS in such venues across China and identify the factors influencing their prevalence. Methods: From 2021 to 2024, a nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in China, involving 19,346 venues. A 50 g sample of cooking salt was collected from each venue, and the iodine content was measured. The CRIS and URAIS were calculated, and associations with various factors were assessed using Chi-square tests, the Cochran–Armitage trend test, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of the 19,346 samples, 18,519 tested positive for IS, and 17,588 contained adequately iodized salt (AIS), resulting in a CRIS of 95.7% and a URAIS of 90.9%. Significant regional differences were found, with coastal areas showing a lower CRIS and URAIS than inland areas (87.0% vs. 97.8%; 81.0% vs. 93.2%) and urbanized areas having lower rates compared to less urbanized areas (94.1% vs. 97.3%; 88.9% vs. 92.9%). Higher per capita income was associated with a lower CRIS and URAIS (Z = −19.72, p < 0.0001; Z = −13.85, p < 0.0001). Lower per capita income (OR = 3.24, OR = 1.36, p < 0.0001), inland areas (OR = 4.14, OR = 2.68, p < 0.0001), and mountainous areas (OR = 2.48, OR = 1.27, p < 0.0001) were associated with a higher likelihood of IS and AIS use. Conclusions: While the CRIS and URAIS in dining venues meet national standards, regional disparities persist, particularly in coastal, plain, and economically advanced areas. Strengthening regulatory oversight and public education on iodized salt’s health benefits is essential.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289142.].

To investigate the association between iodized salt intake and cognitive function in older adults. A cross-sectional study. Individuals from the Zhejiang Major Public Health Surveillance Program (ZPHS). Data of 10,217 participants (including 4,680 coastal residents and 5,537 inland residents) aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed. Salt intake was evaluated using a questionnaire, and participants were stratified into the following three groups: iodized salt, non-iodized salt, and mixed salt. Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination and defined using education-specific cut-off points. Logistic regression models controlling for an extensive range of potential confounders were generated to examine the association between salt intake and cognitive function among all participants. Data from 10,217 participants with a 16.1% prevalence of cognitive impairment were analyzed. Compared with non-iodized salt intake, consumption of iodized salt was inversely associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR], 0.410; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.351–0.480; P < 0.001) in all participants after multivariable adjustment. An association between iodized salt intake and cognitive impairment was observed in coastal (OR, 0.441; 95% CI, 0.340–0.572; P < 0.001) and inland residents (OR, 0.569; 95% CI, 0.439–0.738; P < 0.001). Despite the insufficient sample size, the results for individuals consuming mixed salt suggested an inverse association between mixed salt intake and cognitive impairment among coastal residents (OR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.405–0.885; P = 0.010) after multivariable adjustment. Our results indicate that iodized salt intake may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults living in coastal or inland areas, and the protective effect of iodized salt intake is greater in coastal areas than in inland areas.

China has issued the “Reform Plan of the Salt Industry System” in 2016 and it is necessary to attach the importance to the changes of iodine nutritional status of those people who might consume non-iodized salt for a long time. Forty-six elderly subjects were recruited and replaced iodized salt with non-iodized salt for 6 months. Urine iodine concentration (UIC), dietary iodine intake, thyroid function, thyroid B-ultrasound, and plasma iodine were monitored during the follow-up period. The median dietary iodine intakes of the baseline, the 1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th, and 6th month were 255.3 µg/d, 183.6 µg/d, 164.6 µg/d, 179.2 µg/d, 139.4 µg/d, and 146.9 µg/d, respectively. The median UIC of baseline and follow-up was 155.7 (111.0–263.1) µg/L and 69.7(36.7–119.8) µg/L, respectively. The proportion of urinary iodine less than 50 g/L at the baseline and follow-up was 3.0 (0 ~ 8.9)% and 36.0 (33.1 ~ 38.9)%, respectively. Dietary iodine intake had a significant correlation with urine iodine. Six subjects (15.4%) had abnormal thyroid function. Three subjects (7.7%) had first-onset new nodules or enlarged solid nodules and the median UIC of these three subjects during the follow-up period was 39.8 µg/L, which was significantly lower than that of other subject (74.0 µg/L). T4 and T3 had a significant correlation with plasma iodine. The importance of monitoring and evaluating iodine nutrition of people consuming non-iodized salt should be stressed to prevent the potential poor iodine nutrition and iodine deficiency diseases.

Background Iodine deficiency disorder is a significant public health problem, affecting both developed and developing nations worldwide. It is associated with poor body growth and irreversible mental retardation. However, little is known about the spatial distribution and determinants of household iodized salt utilization in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial distribution and determinants of iodized salt utilization at national level. Methods Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data was used to investigate the spatial distribution and determinants of household iodized salt utilization in Ethiopia. ArcGIS 10.6 and SaTScan™ version 9.6 software were used to explore the spatial distribution and detect significant clusters, respectively. The odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined for potential determinants included in the multivariable multilevel logistic regression model. Results Household iodized salt utilization was spatially clustered in Ethiopia (Moran’s Index = 0.076, p -value = 0.01). The significant hotspot areas with high iodized salt utilization were located in Benishangul, Amhara, Gambella, Tigray and Northwest Oromia regions. Significant cold spot areas (areas with low iodized salt utilization) were found in Somali, and East Afar regions. Those households with higher education level ((Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] =1.49, 95% CI =1.14–1.93), high community level education (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.03–2.20), middle wealth index (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.04–1.65) and high community media exposure (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.07–2.17) had higher odds of iodized salt utilization. Conclusions Household iodized salt utilization had significant spatial variation across the country . Both household and community level variables were found to be associated with household iodized salt utilization in Ethiopia. Therefore, increasing the education level, wealth status and community media exposure is recommended to improve iodized salt utilization in a country. A targeted intervention is also needed for those regions with low household iodized salt utilization.

Introduction Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are a significant global public health issue that affects the physical and mental development of every age group, with children and nursing mothers being the most vulnerable. Approximately 50 million of approximately 2 billion people with iodine deficiency (ID) globally exhibit clinical symptoms. Identifying iodine levels using various techniques is important when considering treatment choices. Screening programs and early ID diagnostics are crucial for the follow-up of pregnant women, especially in iodine-deficient nations. There have been calls for universal salt iodization programs, but only approximately 71% of people have access to them. The problem is more common in developing nations; however, there is a shortage of literature on the individual-, family-, and community-level factors influencing iodized salt use in East Africa. This study aimed to investigate individual- and community-level factors of household iodized salt usage in East Africa. Methods Using Stata 17, this study used the most recent demographic and health survey datasets from twelve East African countries. The survey included a weighted sample of 154,980 households. To assess factors related to iodized salt use in the region, bivariable and multivariable multilevel logistic regressions were used. P values less than or equal to 0.2, and < 0.05 were used in the binary regression, and to deem variables statistically significant in the final model respectively. Results About 87.73% (95% CI = 87.56,87.89) households have utilized iodized household salt. Secondary and above education (AOR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.17–1.30), household heads with ages of 25–35 years, 36–45 years (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12,1.28), 36–45 years (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09,1.24), and more than 45 years (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.11,1.25), lower and middle wealth (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.76,0.89) and (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.81,0.93), media exposure (AOR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.07–1.14), female household leaders (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04–1.12), access to improved drinking water and better toilet facility (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI = 2.18–2.35) and (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.44,1.56), larger than five family members (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.99), high community level wealth (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.27–1.87), and low community education(AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.33,0.49) were statistically associated with utilization of iodized household salt in East Africa respectively. Conclusion In East Africa, household salt iodization is moderately good. To expand the use of iodized salt in the region, access to improved drinking water and toilet facilities, participating family leaders, using the opportunity of family planning services, media sources, and the improvement of the community’s socioeconomic level are all needed.

Background Universal salt iodization was started before decades but there are communities using the un-iodized salt till now. More than one-tenth of the Ethiopian community uses un-iodized salt. Objective This study aimed to identify the hotspots and associate factors of un-iodized salt availability in Ethiopia based on Ethiopian national household survey data. Methods We conducted an in-depth analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data. A total of 15,567 households were included in the final analysis. We cleaned and weighed the data using Stata version 16 software and descriptive outputs were reported in graphs and tables. We computed the weighted prevalence of un-iodized salt and prepared it for spatial analysis. Global-level spatial autocorrelation, hotspot analysis using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, and spatial interpolation using empirical Bayesian interpolation were executed using ArcGIS 10.3 to predict the magnitude of un-iodized salt at the national level. The binary logistics regression model was used to identify the contributing factors of un-iodized salt utilization. Model goodness of fit was tested with Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test ( P  = 0.96). Finally, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was reported to identify significant factors. Results The magnitude of un-iodized salt availability was 14.19% (95% CI: 13.65, 14.75) among Ethiopian households. Un-iodized salt hotspots were found in Afar, Somalia, and Benishangul Gumuz regions. Compared to poorest wealth index: poorer (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.64), middle (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.60), richer (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.64), and richest (AOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.75); compared to uneducated household head: heads with secondary (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.67) and above secondary (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.67) education reduced the odds of un-iodized salt viability, while households living in highland (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.29) had increased the odds of un-iodized salt availability. Conclusion More than a tenth of the households in Ethiopia uses un-iodized salt. Hotspots of un-iodized salt availability were found in Somali and Afar regions of Ethiopia. Better wealth index and education of the household heads reduces the odds of un-iodized salt availability while living in a high altitude above 2200 m increases the odds of un-iodized salt availability in Ethiopia.

Background There is no country in the developing world where iodine deficiency is not a public health problem including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess inadequate utilization of iodized salt and associated factors at household level in woreda 11 Nifas Silk Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with multistage sampling technique on 348 household respondents. The data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires and an iodine rapid test kit. The data were edited, cleaned, and entered using Epi-data version 4.6.2 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify associated factors for inadequate utilization of iodized salt. The statistical significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 348 household respondents were participated. The amount of iodine content in salt 0 ppm, < 15ppm and > 15ppm were 11.8%, 7.2% and 81.0% respectively. Total inadequate utilization of iodized salt was 19%. Using unpacked salt [AOR; 0.50 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.93)], using a container without a lid [AOR; 0.29 (95%CI: 013, 0.63)], and having insufficient knowledge [AOR; 2.10 (95%CI: 1.14, 3.86)] were all significantly connected with using inadequate iodized salt. Conclusions Iodized salt utilization was inadequate. Using containers without a lid, unpacked salt, and poor knowledge were associated factors. There should be a provision of adequate knowledge about iodized salt, a proper storage and handling.

To investigate whether implementation of a universal salt iodization (USI) programme has sufficient effects on pregnant women in Chongqing, the present study evaluated the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women living in Chongqing by spot urinary iodine concentration (UIC), to provide scientific suggestions to better meet the specific iodine needs of this vulnerable group. Cross-sectional design. A random spot urine sample and household table salt sample were provided by each participant. A total of 2607 pregnant women from twenty-six of thirty-nine districts/counties in Chongqing participated. The overall median UIC of pregnant women was 171·80 μg/l (interquartile range (IQR) = 113·85-247·00 μg/l) and 40·97 % (n 1057) of participants were iodine insufficient. The median iodine in table salt samples was 25·40 mg/kg (IQR = 23·10-28·30 mg/kg); 93·26 % (n 2406) of samples examined were found to be adequately iodized. Iodine nutritional status was not significantly different according to table salt iodization category. Trimester was identified to be statistically associated with UIC (P < 0·01). Seven districts/counties had median UIC below 150 μg/l and one district had median UIC of 277·40 μg/l. The USI programme in Chongqing prevents iodine deficiency generally, but does not maintain iodine status within adequate and recommended ranges throughout pregnancy. Usage of non-iodized or unqualified iodized salt and the slight change of dietary habits of iodized salt in Chongqing may present a substantial challenge to fight iodine-deficiency disorders; more efforts are needed to ensure adequate iodine intake during pregnancy besides the USI programme.

Potassium iodate and potassium iodide are commonly fortified in iodized table salt, which must be continuously monitored to maintain quality. Our study reported an optimized detection method for total iodine in iodized table salt using 0.5 M sodium bisulfite as the reducing agent. The iodized table salt (0.5 g) was dissolved in 0.5 M sodium bisulfite solution prior to injection in ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a diode array detector using a weak anion-exchange column (2.1 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm). Iodide was eluted at 9.92 ± 0.06 min (λ = 223 nm) when an isocratic mobile phase of 1:1 (v/v) methanol/120 mM phosphate buffer mixed with tetrasodium pyrophosphate (pH 3.0) was running at 0.20 mL/min (15 min). Iodide was detected as total iodine from 10.0 to 50.0 mg/kg with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.2 mg/kg and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.7 mg/kg. The method was validated with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 4.2%, 0.4%, 1.6%, and 0.8% for accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, and robustness, respectively. The determination of total iodine was successful on six (6) samples (n = 3), which recovered 87.2–106.9% of iodate and iodide spike. Thus, this study provides a validated protocol for the determination of total iodine in iodized table salt using 0.5 M sodium bisulfite.