Our fantastic volunteer, Leela, has just started working on an exciting new project investigating iodine deficiency….. Here is a summary of what she’s looking into.
For the past three years ATE has been successfully running SNAP, a special needs awareness programme, which works to improve the lives of families with children living with disabilities. It is through our SNAP programme that we are aware of children with the multiple deformities characteristic of cretinism induced by hypothyroidism – an iodine deficiency disorder which is easily preventable. However, “In Ghana it is estimated that 120,000 children born each year are at risk of intellectual impairment because of iodine deficiency. Approximately 15,600 (13%) of these babies are severely impaired” (Christina Buxton & Benjamin Baguune, 2012, www.biomedical.com/content/pdf/2049-3258-70-5.pdf) which for many disabled children in Lawra negatively impacts on their basic rights and ability to access education, healthcare and gain acceptance in society.
We aim to carry out a survey amongst women of childbearing age by screening for goitres which are a common iodine deficiency disorder. This preliminary investigation should help us to see whether or not there is an iodine deficiency which may be contributing to some of the disabilities that we are seeing in children. We are currently seeking approval and advice from the Regional Health Directorate to be able to take this study forward, potentially working in partnership with Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds across the district. It is an interesting area of work to undertake and we will keep you updated on how it progresses.
We’ll keep you updated…. watch this space!