Consumption of iodized salt among households of Basra city, south Iraq

Progress towards universal salt iodization in Iraq is uncertain. A cross-sectional study with cluster sampling was carried out to investigate the sources and packaging of salt in 900 households in Basra and assess the knowledge and practice of household members regarding iodized salt and iodine deficiency disorders. Adequately iodized salt was found in only 68.3% of households. Salt from local sources was significantly less likely to be iodized than salt from imported sources (15.3% versus 86.9% had > or = 15 ppm). Salt in plastic packages was mostly adequately iodized (95.0%) compared with loose packages (70.3%). Most respondents had heard about iodized salt (92.6%), yet only 27.1% knew about the health benefits. Significantly more household members with university education had iodized salt in the household than those who were illiterate or only could read/write (82.0% versus 57.7%). Better monitoring of local salt supplies and more education to improve the population's awareness of iodization are needed.