Low levels of urinary iodine excretion in schoolchildren of rural areas in Cuba.

OBJECTIVE

We set up a baseline data on urinary iodine excretion from a nationwide representative sample of rural schoolchildren before instituting iodine supplementation.

DESIGN

Stratified multistage cluster sampling in three different strata: lowlands, foothills and mountainous areas. Early morning urine samples were collected for evaluation of iodine status.

SETTING

Field study in 25 municipalities in 11 out of 14 provinces. The study was carried out from October to December 1995.

SUBJECTS: Three thousand and twenty-seven schoolchildren of either sex, 6 to < 12 y from 87 primary schools.

RESULTS

The median urinary iodine excretion was 95 microg/L for the whole sample. The situation in a few foothills and all mountainous areas showed a moderate to severe deficiency. In the mountainous stratum, the median urinary iodine excretion values was less than 20 microg/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Cuba has a mild iodine deficiency public health problem with respect to WHO criteria, which in the mountainous areas is severe. The Government of Cuba has started a national Plan of Action and funds are being mobilized to introduce nationwide iodized salt.