Familial tendency and dietary association of goitre in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia
Abuye, C.; Omwega, A.M.; Imungi, J.K.
East African Medical Journal 76(8): 447-451
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 10520350 Document Number: 505298
A cross-sectional study on the familial tendency and dietary association of goitre in 597 elementary schoolchildren aged 6-18 years and their biological parents was conducted in Ethiopia . Prevalence of goitre was found to be 51.7%, of which 21.7% was visible goitre. The mean urinary iodine extraction levels indicated adequate dietary intake of iodine by the study group. A significant association (P<0.001) was established for familial tendency of goitre between parents and their children. Consumption of halleko (Moringa stenopetala) of >2 times/day was significantly associated with causation of goitre (P<0.005). It is suggested that goitre prevalence in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia is due to familial tendency as well as dietary factors.