Accelerating towards Achieving Universal Salt Iodization Goal through Social Marketing in Nepal
Giriraj Subedi *
Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Saba Mebrahtu
UNICEF, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Macharaja Maharjan
Micronutrient Initiative, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Naveen Paudyal
UNICEF, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Rajat Rana
Maxpro, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nandakishor Adhikari
Maxpro, Kathmandu, Nepal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: Iodine deficiency disorders have been a prevailing problem in Nepal. With the objective to improve household use of adequately iodized salt, Nepal Government endorsed a strategy to promote adequately iodized salt with two child logo in poor performing districts of Nepal from 2007 to 2011.
Methods: Social Marketing approach used a methodology of community mobilization under public private partnership, engaging mother credit and saving groups with interpersonal communication to each beneficiary. In this process, 650 women group mobilized with IEC/ BCC component, intensive supervision monitoring to promote iodized packet salt.
Results: As a result of iodized salt social marketing campaign, household use of two child logo salt in intervention areas increased from 31% in 2005 to 55% in 2011. This increase in use of two child logo salt directly translated into the increase in household use of adequately iodized salt (with 15 ppm or more iodine) from 52% in 2005 to 70% in 2011. On overall, this increase contributed in the improvement of national use of adequately iodized salt up to 80% level (and that of salt with any iodine to over 95%) in 2011.
Conclusions: Community Group mobilization is an effective tool to increase iodized salt consumption in Nepal, which established a direct relationship between iodized packet salt promotions with the household use of adequately iodized salt. With the result achieved, Nepal is on the verge of meeting universal salt iodization goal - 90% household using adequately iodized salt.