Familial tendency and dietary association of goitre in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the familial tendency and dietary association of goitre. Design: Cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components. Setting: Goma-Gofa, south Ethiopia. Subjects: Five hundred and ninety seven elementary school children aged 6-18 years and their biological parents. Results: 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), a leafy vegetable common in the study area, of more than two times per day was significantly (p < 0.005) associated with causation of goitre.Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that goitre prevalence in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia is due to familial tendency as well as dietary factors. PIP: This cross-sectional study assessed the familial tendency and dietary factors associated with causation of goiter in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia. Data were gathered through clinical examination and collection of other information such as family history of goiter, and diet frequency. A total of 597 schoolchildren aged 6-18 years were included in the sample. Results revealed that goiter prevalence accounted for 51.7%, of which 21.7% was visible goiter. The mean urinary iodine extraction levels indicated adequate dietary intake of iodine by the study group. Furthermore, a significant association was established for familial tendency of goiter between parents and their children. Consumption of halleko (Moringa stenopetala), a leafy vegetable common in the area, more than twice a day was significantly associated with the causation of goiter. These results indicate that the causation of goiter in Gamo-Gofa is multifaceted and associated with familial tendency and the consumption of halleko.