Prevalence study of Goiter in ۶-۱۰ year old children of Khorramabad ,۱۹۹۵

In this cross-sectional study, ۹۳۲ school boys and ۹۲۷ school girls,۶-۱۰ years old of Khorramabad, Lorestan were selected randomly by proportionate multi-stage cluster sampling method. All students underwent clinical examination for presence of Goiter with the method and criteria recommended by world health organization ( WHO). Age specific prevalence rates of Goiter in boys ۶ through ۱۰ years, were ۴۹.۵-۶۲.۶-۶۴-۶۵.۵ and ۶۳.۵ percent, and in girls were  ۷۰.۶ -۷۴ – ۶۵.۲- ۷۰.۴ and ۸۰ percent respectively. Khorramabad is considered as a hyperenbemic area for Goiter. Comparison of  prevalence rates in both sexes revealed that the rates were significantly higher in girls at all ages ( p<۰.۰۰۱). Also , total prevalence rates of Goiter in girls (۷۲℅) and  boys (۶۱℅) were significantly different ( p<۰.۰۰۱). In different regions of the city the prevalence rates were more than ۵۰℅ . Age specific prevalence rates in girls in groups of  ۶-۸ years and ۹-۱۰ years and in boys in previous group were significantly different. Girl to boy sex ratio as an index of severity of endemia was ۱.۲۴ at age of ۶ and ۱.۲۷ at age of ۱۰. The results showed that the prevalence rates of Goiter in this area is significantly lower than the rate reported in ۱۹۸۹.