A field survey of iodine supplementation of primary school children and their parents in a rural village in the endemic area of iodine deficiency disorder, northeastern Thailand

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is an important health problem in Thailand. Due to the geographical limitation of marine salt distribution, the Northern and Northeastern regions of Thailand are endemic areas of this disorder. In this study, a cross-sectional survey on the domestic use of iodine-enriched salt by the people in a rural village, Non Sam Ran, Borabue district, Mahasarakarm province in the northeastern region of Thailand was conducted. A salt survey was undertaken in the village, involving the specific health knowledge of both primary school students and their parents, and including a home visit with kitchen salt sampling. As a result of this survey, despite the smallness of the sample, concern is raised regarding the application of public health information about IDD due to a taste preference for non-iodised salt, and the quality control of the manufacture of iodine-fortified salt.