Poor dietary diversity, wealth status and use of un-iodized salt are associated with goiter among school children: a cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

Table 4 Mother’s knowledge and attitude towards iodized salt use, Dabat District northwest Ethiopia, 2016 (n = 735)

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Knowledge
Low	207	28.2
Medium	284	38.6
High	244	33.2
Attitude
Low	267	36.3
Medium	254	34.6
High	214	29.1
Importance of iodized salt^a
Prevention of goiter	115	15.6
Growth and development	17	2.3
For health	380	51.7
I don’t know	327	44.5
The richest source of iodine^a
Egg	25	3.4
Meat	40	5.4
Milk and milk products	39	5.3
Iodized salt	68	9.3
Fish	8	1.1
Fruit and vegetables	9	1.2
I don’t know	611	83.1
Disorders of lack of iodine^a
Mental retardation	27	3.7
Goiter	182	24.8
Retarded growth	9	1.2
Abortion	9	1.2
Child mortality	2	0.3
I don’t know	519	70.6
All salts contain iodine
Yes	77	10.5
No	220	29.9
I don’t know	438	59.6
Selling of non-iodized salt is inhibited in Ethiopia
Yes	45	6.1
No	186	25.3
I don’t know	504	68.6
Test of iodized salt is different from unionized one
Yes	185	25.2
No	276	37.6
I don’t know	274	37.3
Iodized salt has a harmful effect on health
Yes	33	4.5
No	619	84.2
I don’t know	83	11.3
Sea salt contains iodine in the right quantities
Yes	103	14
No	406	55.2
I don’t know	226	30.7
Ever seen people with swelling in the neck
Yes	333	45.3
No	402	54.7
Causes of swelling in the neck (n = 333)^a
Genetics	46	13.8
Contaminated water	115	34.5
Drinking left over water	72	21.6
Sharing drinking material together	12	3.6
Drinking water contaminated by bird	6	1.8
Lack of iodine	34	10.2
I don’t know	47	14.1
Iodized salt prevents goiter (n = 333)
Yes	78	23.4
No	160	48
I don’t know	95	28.6

ISSN: 1471-2458