Available Data on Iodized Salt Based on Rapid Test Kits Can Provide useful Programmatic Insight

Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain whether iodized salt data from rapid test kits (RTK) could provide programmatic insight if using salt with any iodine (>0 parts per million (ppm) of iodine) to represent programme coverage and salt with >15 ppm of iodine to represent quality coverage.  Methods: Equity data for households consuming iodized salt were extracted from UNICEF's Global database (nationally representative Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and Demographic and Health Surveys, 2005-2012). Forty-one countries had equity data for coverage and quality coverage based on RTK for one or more of the following: sex of household head, wealth quintile, and area of residence. Data were assessed for patterns of coverage and quality coverage among different groups.    Results: Preliminary analyses indicate that meaningful differences for sex of head of household did not exist for either coverage or quality coverage; however, four distinct patterns emerged for residence and wealth, (ordered from most to least equitable): Similar coverage; similar relative declines between coverage and quality coverage between subgroups. Similar coverage; larger relative declines between coverage and quality coverage for the poorest/rural households. Lower coverage for poorest/rural households; similar relative declines between coverage and quality coverage between subgroups. Lower coverage for poorest/rural households; larger relative declines between coverage and quality coverage for the poorest/rural households. Conclusions: While RTKs do not provide data with the same level of precision as titration, comparison of salt with any iodine (coverage) and >15 ppm iodine (quality coverage) based on RTK between different populations can infer distinct recommendations for further data collection and programmatic actions.