Prevention of iodine deficiency: awareness and consumer choice of the university students

Introduction. The territory of the Republic of Khakassia is endemic for goiter, in this regard, both the prevention and correction of iodine deficiency are very important. University students are a part of society, which makes up its main reproductive reserve, and the increased level of intellectual load on the background of adaptation to new living conditions and the educational process requires the adequate provision of iodine, the lack of which can negatively affect their health.

The purpose of research. Assess the level of awareness and commitment to preventative behavior of University students.

Material and methods. To assess the level of awareness about the negative consequences of iodine deficiency and its prevention, a questionnaire was developed for students. 452 freshmen (281 girls and 171 boys) of Khakass State University took part in an anonymous sociological poll voluntarily.

Results. When analyzing interview data, it was determined only 61.6% of students to be aware of the problem of biosphere iodine deficiency in the republic; 18.8% of students found it difficult to name the clinical manifestations of iodine deficiency conditions and the most sensitive periods of ontogenesis to iodine deficiency. Methods for the prevention of iodine deficiency 25% of students consider inaccessible and expensive. 39.6% of students buy iodized salt, but only 65.5% of them are aware of the peculiarities of its storage at home and 37.5% are correctly used in cooking (before serving and at the end of cooking). It was noted the low level of regular consumption of foods rich in iodine: in 70% of respondents, these dishes were in the diet less than once a week; and 38.9% of students practically do not eat seafood. Only 2.1% of respondents constantly took iodine-containing drugs; 53.9% of the students did not use the medicine at all, and the rest of the students received iodine occasionally. However, only 4.7% of students taking drugs received an adequate prophylactic dose of iodine.

Discussion. Despite the activities carried out in Khakassia in 2014-2016 as part of the program for the prevention of diseases caused by micronutrient deficiency, the study participants have an average awareness of the consequences and availability of measures for the prevention of iodine deficiency. Even among students who are aware of the problem of iodine deficiency conditions, less than half of the respondents understand the importance of eating iodized salt to reduce the overall incidence rate, maintain intellectual performance and reproductive well-being. Our results are consistent with data from surveys conducted in other regions of the country.

Conclusions. To preserve and improve the somatic, mental and reproductive health of youth of Khakassia, it is necessary to strengthen the educational component of regional programs for the prevention of iodine deficiency diseases.