High prevalence of iodine deficiency among pregnant women in Ghana, study finds
prevented by taking in additional iodine to maintain an optimum level of the micro-nutrient. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women can lead to mental retardation in infants and children; the deficiency is also the most common cause of goiter.
A recent cross-sectional study in Ghana has found that about
42.5% of pregnant women in the KEEA municipality suffer from iodine deficiency.
The ammonium per sulfate method was used to determine the
level of iodine in spot urine samples of pregnant women on antenatal care at
Kissi Health Centre, Central Region. The study authored by health scientists at
the University of Cape Coast is reported in the Archives of Public Health
journal.
“Of the 80 participants who were on iodized salt, only 16.2%
had mild iodine deficiency with none suffering from moderate or severe iodine
deficiency,” they write. “Of the 40 participants who did not use iodized salt,
35%, 30%, and 30% suffered from severe, moderate and mild iodine deficiency
respectively.”
Overall, the findings of this study calls for dietary
interventions to help pregnant women in rural areas to overcome the high
prevalence of iodine deficiency.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
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