Iodine status and goiter prevalence after 40 years of salt iodisation in the Kangra District, India.

Thirty primary schools were selected in district Kangra utilizing the population proportionate to size cluster sampling methodology in the year 2004. A total of 6939 children were included in the study. The clinical examination of the thyroid of each child was conducted. On the spot casual urine sample and salt samples were collected from a 'sub set of' children included in the study. The Total goiter rate (TGR) was found to be 19.8%. The median Urinary iodine excretion level was 200 microg/l and only 64% of the salt samples had the stipulated level of iodine. The findings of the present study revealed that current iodine status of population is adequate, however, TGR showed mild iodine deficiency (chronic) and there is a need of continued monitoring the quality of iodised salt provided to the beneficiaries under the Universal salt iodisation programme in order to achieve the goal of elimination of Iodine deficiency disorders from district Kangra.