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Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Household Iodized Salt Utilization in Ethiopia: A Spatial and Multilevel Analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

Yeshaw, Yigizie, Alemneh Mekuriaw Liyew, Tesema, Getayeneh Antehunegn, Teshale, Achamyeleh Birhanu, Tesema, Ayenew Kassie, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem

2020

Overview

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. We used STATA version 14 software to analyze the determinants of household iodized salt utilization. The odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined for potential determinants included in the multivariable multilevel logistic regression model and the corresponding p-value ≤ 0.05 was employed to declare the statistically significant variables. 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. 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 . The significant hotspot areas with high iodized salt utilization were located in Benishangul, Amhara, Gambella, Tigray and Northwest Oromia regions. Households with higher education level, high community level education and high community media exposure and middle wealth index had higher odds of iodized salt utilization. Increasing education level, wealth status and community media exposure is recommended to increase iodized salt utilization. A targeted intervention is also needed for those regions with low household iodized salt utilization.

• Publisher: Research Square
• Subject: Health surveys / Higher education / Households