PhD Oral Defense: A randomized cluster trial to evaluate the effect of iodized salt exposure on birth outcome and infant development in Ethiopia

PhD Oral Defense of Husein Mohammed, Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) can result in physical and mental disabilities at all stages of human life. The main objectives of this thesis were to examine the effects of iodized salt introduced in a moderately iodine-deficient population of Ethiopia (1) on pregnancy and birth outcomes, (2) on the growth and mental development of young children, and (3) on thyroid function and hormonal mediation of children’s cognitive development.

Sixty villages in 60 districts across six zones in the Amhara region of Ethiopia were randomly assigned to intervention (early access to iodized salt) or control (later access through normal market forces) arms.

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