article · PLoS ONE
A cross-sectional investigation evaluated the use of adequately iodised salt across 493 households and 14 local salt producers in Kilwa district, Tanzania. Onsite rapid testing and laboratory analysis revealed that only 9.4 percent of surveyed households utilised adequately iodised salt. Factors significantly linked to higher utilisation included smaller family sizes of five or fewer individuals, good knowledge regarding iodised salt, dry storage conditions, and using salt supplies within two months. Conversely, exposing salt to sunlight significantly reduced adequate iodine levels. Local production challenges also contributed to the poor availability of fortified salt. These issues included inadequate protection at production sites, lack of producer training, widespread distribution of non-iodised salt, community preference for unfortified salt, and the presence of numerous small-scale producers. The findings underline the need for targeted awareness campaigns alongside production-level interventions.
Adequate dietary iodine is essential for public health, yet rural communities near local salt production sites often consume unfortified salt. Identifying the specific domestic practices and local production constraints that limit iodine levels helps health authorities design practical interventions. This ensures fortification programmes effectively reach rural households and maintain nutritional quality from production to consumption.
This research highlights practical opportunities for manufacturers of low-cost salt iodisation equipment, protective packaging, and field-based iodine testing kits. Potential users include local salt producers, food quality regulators, and public health agencies. While the underlying findings describe an applied observational assessment rather than a ready commercial product, the identified supply-chain gaps indicate an immediate, near-market need for affordable quality-control and stabilisation solutions in artisanal salt manufacturing.
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This study assessed household utilization of adequately iodized salt and its associated factors in Kilwa district, Tanzania, where utilization remains low, especially in areas with local salt production. Using a cross-sectional design, 493 households were systematically sampled and interviewed, with 14 local salt producers purposively recruited for in-depth interviews; onsite iodine rapid tests and laboratory analyses determined salt iodine content. Results showed only 9.4% of households used adequately iodized salt. Factors significantly associated with utilization included family size of five or fewer members (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.62-7.54), good knowledge about iodized salt (AOR = 4.97; 95% CI: 2.04-12.11), storage of salt in dry areas (AOR = 4.44; 95% CI: 1.51-13.07), exposure of salt to sunlight (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.85), and salt staying less than two months (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.10-5.00). Key reasons for low availability of iodized salt included poor protection at production sites, supply of non-iodized salt, lack of training for local producers, community preference for non-iodized salt, and presence of multiple local salt producers. The findings indicate that the prevalence of iodized salt use is very low in Kilwa, with factors such as family size, knowledge, storage practices, sunlight exposure, and salt duration influencing utilization. The study recommends intensified government awareness campaigns to improve knowledge and practices related to iodized salt use, alongside interventions to enhance salt quality and availability at production sites.
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0337337
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