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Current Iodine Deficiency Disorder Situation
Population
Population: 4.96 million
Population growth rate: -0.55%
Population < 15 years: 19 %
Birth rate: 11.5 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 64.7 years
Infant mortality: 51.8 per 1000
Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE
Median urinary iodine: 80% < 100 mcg/L (1998). A national survey in 1998 reported a goiter prevalence of 36% by ultrasound, and 80% of urine samples had an iodine concentration < 100 mcg/L. Previous local surveys had shown 36-93% had goiter by palpation and ultrasound (1996) and 63% of neonates had TSH > 5 mU/L. No further information on recent assessments.
Iodized salt Coverage
Household iodized salt use: 8% (2000) but probably much higher in 2002
Salt Situation Analysis Production
Big recent increase in importation of iodized salt from Ukraine , efforts need assessment. All salt is imported, mostly from Ukaine. The amount imported from Ukraine has increased from 2,115 tons in 2000 to 20,335 in the first eight months of 2002, an annual increase of 1023%. This large increase covers almost 100% of the potential demand of Georgia 's population. Some salt is also imported from Armenia and Russia .
Consumption
The MISC survey (2000) reported only 8.1% of households consume iodized salt, but this figure now needs to be dramatically increased
Iodine Procurement and Utilization
Salt is iodized with KIO3 at 40 ppm.
Universal Salt Iodization Program
Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities
Legislation
Presidential decree (1995) and Parliamentary law (1997), including for animals.
Program Monitoring and Evaluation
Council Against IDD was formed in 1998, needs strengthening. Personnel are limited, need training. Iodized salt is monitored, but not regularly
Other Interventions
Iodized oil has been used in mountainous areas.
Key Lessons Learned
Challenges and Constraints
Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination
Sources:
IDD NL 18(3):33, 2002
IDD NL 13(1):4, 1997
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