Knowledge and Practice of Antenatalcare Attendant Mothers Towards Iodized Salt Utilization and Associated Factorsin Ambo Town Public Health Facilities, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Globally iodized salt deficiency affects more than 2.2 billion peoples and the effect is severe when occurs in pregnant women. Different reasons contribute for insufficient iodized salt utilization in population. Even though knowledge and practice of iodized salt utilization has paramount contribution in improving iodized salt utilization among pregnant mothers. To assess the knowledge and practice of iodized salt utilization and associated factors among ANC follower pregnant women at Public Health Facilities, Ambo Town.

Results

The complete response rate of the study was 240(93.02%).

Almost all of 97.1% are Oromo in Ethnicity and 53.8% were housewives and only 29.6% were attending college and university in Educational status.

This study determined knowledge and practice of pregnant women towards iodized salt utilization which revealed that 65.6% have had good knowledge towards iodized salt utilization with factors educational level, ever heard iodized salt and  occupation were significantly associated with knowledge of mothers about iodized salt utilization. Out of total study respondents 3/4^th of pregnant women had good practice of Iodized salt utilization with independent predictor of family income, being educated and occupation status respectively.

Methods

Institution based cross sectional study design was employed on total of 240 pregnant women was enrolled in the study. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and was entered and analysed using statistical package for social science version 20. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried utilized to identify significant association at p-value of less than 0.05 that was considered as significant association.

Conclusion

This study determined knowledge and practice of pregnant women towards iodized salt utilization which revealed low and high compared to previous studies respectively. This study identified that factors contributed to knowledge and practice of pregnant women towards iodized salt utilization. Therefore, police makers and health planner would be better to reconsider these factors affecting iodized salt utilization practice and knowledge pregnant mothers while developing guidelines and Health education programs for this population.