Proper Utilization of Iodized Salt and Associated Factors among Rural Community of Hetosa District, Oromia Regional State, South East Ethiopia

Background: Iodine is one of the essential micronutrients for human physical and mental development. However, little is known about households' use of iodized salt and associated factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess utilization of iodized salt and associated factors. Methods: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. In this study, a total of 603 participants were included. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants. An iodine rapid test kit was used to determine the level of iodized salt utilization. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. In all analysis, P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: In this study, the proper utilization of iodized salt among the participants was 38.4%. Education status, knowledge, practice, and level of iodine content in salt were significantly associated with utilization of iodized salt. Conclusion: The households' utilization of proper iodized salt was low. Many factors affecting the proper utilization of iodized salt were identified. Therefore, the regional authorities and other concerned bodies should initiate effective strategies to improve the community's utilization of iodized salt.