Socio-economic and spatial correlates of subclinical iodine deficiency among pregnant women age 15–49 years in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Iodine deficiency is a widespread global health problem that affects about 2 billion people each year.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to iodine deficiency due to increased iodine requirement leading to

death, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Iodine deficiency also has significant negative effects on newborns including

impaired cognitive development, impaired learning capabilities, and stunting. This study looks at the association

between subclinical iodine deficiency and demographic factors including age, wealth index, education, family size,

geographical zone, number of children, fish consumption, pregnancy trimester and household salt in pregnant

women aged 15–49 years in Tanzania.

Methods: The 2010 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) data was re analysed. Subclinical iodine

deficiency is classified as a urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of