Iodine nutrition status and knowledge, attitude, and behavior in Tehranian women following 2 decades without public education

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of iodine nutrition status and knowledge, attitude, and behavior in Tehranian women after 2 decades without updating public education.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Eight health care centers from 4 district areas of Tehran.

Participants: A total of 383 women aged ≥ 19 years, randomly selected.

Main outcome measures: Iodine concentration of 24-hour urine samples, iodine content of household salts, and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores regarding iodine nutrition and iodized salt.

Analysis: Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the association of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores with urinary iodine concentration (UIC) < 100 μg/L.

Results: The percentages of Tehranian women with high knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 26%, 26%, and 14%, respectively. Practice score was significantly different between females with UIC < 100 and > 100 μg/L (P = .001). Risk of UIC < 100 μg/L in women of childbearing age (19-45 years) after adjustment of education level, region of residence, and iodine content of salt was significantly associated with intermediate practice score (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-13.2).

Conclusions and implications: Marginally suboptimal iodine status in women of childbearing age can be attributed to inappropriate practices, but not to knowledge and attitude.

Keywords: attitude; behavior; female; iodine nutrition; knowledge.