Prevalence of thyroid gland enlargement among 18-20 year old female university and college students in Yerevan

Abstract

Background: Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) is a significant public health problem in over 130 countries. In the information bulletin of International Council for Control of IDD (ICCIDD), Armenia is represented as a country with high IDD prevalence. The prevalence of endemic goitre (thyroid gland enlargement), the Total Goitre Rate, is accepted by WHO/ ICCIDD as a basic indicator for IDD expressivity. Objectives: Screening of women age 18-20 provides an opportunity to establish the iodine status of a group who are particularly vulnerable. The present study assessed the prevalence of thyroid gland enlargement (TGE) among 18-20 year old female students in Yerevan, and identified the risk factors that contribute to the development of TGE (goitre). Methods: A multistage cluster technique was used to enroll 97 university and college students in a cross-sectional survey. Assessment tools included an interviewer-administered survey and thyroid palpation. Pearson χ2 test of association, simple and multiple logistic regressions were applied for the analysis of the associations between variables. Results: The prevalence of TGE among 18-20 year old female students in Yerevan was 21.6%. The odds of TGE were over 13 times higher in students with a family history (FH) of TGE compared to those without a FH of TGE, after adjusting for household monthly expenditure and type of salt used. After adjusting for FH of TGE and type of salt used, the odds of TGE were over 4 times reduced in individuals with high socio-economic status as compared to those with low socio-economic status. Recommendations: A more specific targeted survey for women with a FH of TGE, should be considered. It was recommended to conduct a Knowledge-Attitude-Practice survey in reproductive age women and medical personnel regarding IDD and endemic goitre for further development and conduction of education programs. Salt iodization and effective monitoring of iodine nutrition were recommended as the preferred strategy to control and eliminate IDD.