Prevalence of goiter and associated factors among adolescent girls in the highland area of Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Goiter is a common public health issue in Ethiopia; however, there is not much evidence of it among adolescent girls, especially in Northwest Ethiopia. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of goiter in adolescent girls living in the highlands of Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: From 5 January to 15 February 2022, 560 adolescent girls participated in this study. A multistage sampling method was used. Participants were checked for goiter using World Health Organization guidelines. Using a quick test kit, the amount of iodine in samples of table salt was determined. After being entered into Epi Info version 7, the data were exported to the SPSS version 22 for statistical analysis. Binary logistic regression was applied. It was decided to set the statistically significant level at p < 0.05. Results: In this study, the total prevalence of goiter among adolescent girls was 33.4% (95% CI: 26.3%-39.4%). The odds of goiter were 5.3 times higher among adolescents whose families had a history of goiter (AOR = 5.34, 95% CI: 3.65-9.74). The likelihood of developing goiter was 3.7 times greater among adolescent girls who consumed cabbage at least once per week (AOR = 3.74, 95% CI: 2.46-8.31). In addition, adolescent girls who did not consume meat at all were 3.3 times more likely to develop goiter (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.95-6.78). Similarly, the odds of getting goiter among adolescent girls from families who use salt with inadequate levels of iodine (0-14) were 9.84 times greater compared to their counterparts (AOR = 9.84, 95% CI: 5.61-26.24). Conclusion: In the study area, goiter was very common. Therefore, the district's health sector should make an effort to raise community knowledge by spreading important messages regarding the proper use of iodized salt and food sources.