Iodine Deficiency Disorders After Sixteen Years of Universal Dietary Salt Iodization in a Severe Iodine Deficiency Village in Niger

Introduction: Since 1996, Niger has officially adopted the universal dietary salt iodization program (UDSI). Objective: It is a before‑after trial study conducted to determine the impact of UDSI program in Tiguey 16 years after. Subjects and methods: The study was centered on 371 volunteers whose thyroid gland was palpated and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) determined in 319 of them. Results: The total goitre rate (TGR) was 13.20% with 9.70% invisible but palpable goitre (G1) and 3.50% visible goitre (G2). In 1987, the TGR was 77.15%, with 25.25% G1 and 51.90 % G2. The median UIC was 166.00 µg/L, the 20th percentile 66.40 µg/L and the 80 th percentile was 300 µg/L. 68.34 % of the volunteers had a UIC ≥ 100 µg/L, 2.51% 0.05). However, goitre prevalence increases significantly with age (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of the UDSI program in Niger decreased goitre prevalence and significantly improved the nutritional iodine status of the populations of Tiguey. However a slight endemic goitre and mild to moderate iodine deficiency persists.