56. Ramlawi, A. and Abdeen, Z. Report on Iodine Deficiency Survey in West Bank and Gaza Strip. 1997, 27 pp.

This study determines the extent of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by measuring the prevalence of goiter and the concentration of iodine in urine using a representative sample of school children, ages eight to ten. The results will be used to inform a national plan of action for IDD. It is well-known that IDD, as the world¢s foremost cause of preventable mental retardation, is easy and inexpensive to eliminate. IDD is considered a public health problem whenever the total goiter rate in children aged eight to ten is greater than five percent and the median urinary iodine excretion is less than 10 µ/dl. An overall goiter prevalence rate of 14.9 percent was found among the 2,535 students tested. The median of iodine excretion in urine was 10.68 µ/dl, while the mean was 10.94 µ/dl and the standard deviation was 5.88. It is concluded that intended IDD programs should include all of the West Bank and Gaza, as the prevalence of goiter is widespread, with a stronger focus on high prevalence areas. Several justifications are made for eliminating IDD in Palestine.