We are now half way through our three weeks of goiter screening across Lawra District.
We are carrying out this study to find out the extent of iodine deficiency amongst women of child-bearing age, between 15-40 years old. The right levels of nutrition and iodine in women’s diets are vital for their own health and for the healthy development of their babies, which can shape their child’s future. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is a major cause of multiple disabilities such as cretinism and intellectual impairment seen amongst some of the children who attend our Special Needs Awareness (SNAP) group each month.
Working in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, we have screened over 400 women across 11 communities, with 13 more communities to go by 25th September. So far we have recorded 42 women whom we will refer to a clinician for further diagnosis; 35 who have a suspected goiter and 7 experiencing pain in their thyroid. Five of those are still only teenagers.
Our aim is that the information gained through this study will drive action to reduce iodine deficiency and the associated risks to children being born with disability.