PREVALENCE OF ENDEMIC GOITRE IN SCHOOL CHILDREN: SHIRUR (DIST. PUNE, MAHARASHTRA)

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a significant public health concern, particularly in iodine-deficient regions.
• School-aged children are a vulnerable population for assessing iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) due to their rapid growth and development needs.
• Previous epidemiological data on goitre prevalence in the Shirur area of Pune District was limited, necessitating a focused survey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of goitre among school children in the Shirur rural health training center area.
• To identify the geographical extent and severity of goitre endemicity in the surveyed region.
• To investigate potential environmental factors contributing to the observed goitre rates.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 4664 students from 17 schools within the Shirur area.
• Clinical examination for goitre was performed, with specific attention to visible goitre rates.
• The study focused on the pre- and peri-adolescent age group (10-19 years) for detailed analysis.

Main Results:

• A high overall goitre prevalence of 59.8% was recorded among the surveyed school children.
• A visible goitre rate of 6.2% was observed in the pre- and peri-adolescent age group.
• The findings indicate a highly endemic goitre focus in the Shirur area, Pune District, Maharashtra.

Conclusions:

• The Shirur area represents a significant public health challenge due to the high prevalence of goitre.
• Environmental iodine deficiency is confirmed as the principal etiological factor for the widespread goitre.
• Urgent public health interventions, likely including iodine supplementation programs, are recommended for this region.