Analysis of a random telephone survey result of knowledge in prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders in urban communities of Jiangsu province in 2010

Objective To provide updated recommendations for further adjustment of iodine deficiency disorders control strategy by evaluating awareness of the dangers of iodine deficiency disorders and their prevention and control measures among local residents and the willingness of choosing iodized or non-iodized salt in urban communities of Jiangsu province.Methods Trained health service workers did questionnaire investigation on iodine deficiency disorders prevention knowledge by calling computer-randomly selected family telephone numbers in every two blocks of provincial capital (Nanjing) and coastal city (Nantong) in Jiangsu province in 2010.The survey topics covered include:when supplied with both non-iodized and iodized salt,what kind of salt the local residents chose and the reasons; residents awareness of the dangers of iodine deficiency disorders and their prevention and control measures; resident's personal information(including only occupational category and age group).Key fields were rechecked from 10％ randomly selected valid questionnaires.Results Four hundred and fifty-five valid questionnaires were obtained by calling 2021 randomized telephone numbers in Nanjing and Nantong cities.After 10.1％(46/455) of the valid questionnaires were rechecked,the total coincidence rate was 87.0％(40/46).In the two cities,there were 73.2％ (333/455) of those 455 respondents saying they would choose iodized salt when iodized and non-iodized salt were supplied at the same time.There were 69.0％(314/455) of respondents had heard of iodine deficiency disorders,of which 79.6％(250/314) of them were aware of the dangers of iodine deficiency is endemic goiter,and 10.8％ (34/314) of them knew that iodine deficiency can cause varying degrees of mental damage.With respect to useful preventive methods of iodine deficiency disorders,there were 69.4％ (218/314) respondents know that eating iodized salt,and 41.1％ (129/314) respondents know that taking laver or kelp would prevent iodine deficiency disorders.Conclusions Remarkable achievements on iodine deficiency disorders health promotion and health education have been gained in urban communities of both the provincial capital and the coastal city Jiangsu province.However,some of the people are still not very clear why we should eat iodized salt.Salt industry in the current management system,is still premature to provide iodized salt and non-iodized salt simultaneously now. Key words: Iodine;  Deficiency diseases;  Salts;  Telephone;  Data collection