Table 2.
Knowledge and perceptions of household food caterers about iodized salt and iodine-deficiency disorders
| Question/Responses | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Heard about iodized salt | |
| Yes | 253(90.4) |
| No | 27(9.6) |
| Source of information about iodized salt | |
| Radio | 101(39.9) |
| Friends/relatives | 68(26.9) |
| Television | 42(16.6) |
| Health workers | 42(16.6) |
| Why intake of iodized salt is important? | |
| To cure goitre | 92(32.9) |
| To remain healthy | 88(31.4) |
| To prevent iodine-deficiency disorders(IDDs) | 65(23.2) |
| To grow well | 26(9.3) |
| Better than other salt | 2(0.7) |
| Do not know | 7(2.5) |
| The result of cooking with un-iodized salt | |
| Goiter/swollen thyroid glands | 194(69.3) |
| Low blood level | 30(10.7) |
| Stunted growth in children | 24(8.6) |
| Growing lean/thin | 22(7.9) |
| Do not know | 5(1.8) |
| Others | 5(1.8) |
| Every salt contains iodine | |
| Yes | 78(28.0) |
| No | 202(72.0) |
| Salt obtained from the sea already contains iodine in the right quantities to support human growth and ensure optimal health | |
| Yes | 116(41.0) |
| No | 164(59.0) |
| Iodine deficiency can expose children to mental retardation | |
| Yes | 162(58.0) |
| No | 118(42.0) |
| Iodine deficiency can lead to growth retardation | |
| Yes | 140(50.0) |
| No | 140(50.0) |
| Iodine content reduces when iodized salt is not stored in enclosed containers | |
| Yes | 159(57.0) |
| No | 121(43.0) |
| Taste of iodized salt is different from that of common salt | |
| Yes | 167(60.0) |
| No | 113(40.0) |