Iodine Status of the Indigenous Peoples (Karen) Living in Thailand
Condition: Iodine Deficiency
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      In describing the iodine status involving health conditions of the minority groups, this
      observational study aims to learn about the iodine status of the Indigenous Peoples (Karen)
      in a subdistrict in western Thailand. The Participants will be collected their urine to
      determine urinary iodine concentrations At the same time, their household salt will be also
      collected to determine iodine content.
    

Detailed description: 
      Iodine deficiency (ID) is a global public health problem, and it is estimated that almost 240
      million school-aged children (SAC) worldwide have an insufficient iodine intake. Currently,
      severe ID is uncommon, but mild-to-moderate ID is still widespread on a global level,
      especially in the Asia region. Iodine deficiency causes multiple adverse effects on growth
      and development in all age groups. Salt iodization is recommended as the most cost-effective
      way of delivering iodine to the target population to combat iodine deficiency. In addition,
      the cyclic monitoring of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in vulnerable groups is
      recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

      However, some minority communities such as indigenous peoples living in remote rural areas
      are not included in IDD surveillance programs. Indigenous peoples in many developing
      countries, including Thailand, are largely ignored in development efforts, as they are
      disadvantaged minority groups in those societies. These indigenous peoples may therefore be
      at risk of many adverse health and nutrition consequences, resulting in their quality of
      life. In order to promote nutrition and health, and to ensure adequate iodine intake among
      indigenous peoples in Thailand, it is essential to understand the urinary iodine
      concentration of the populations and the iodine content in their household salt. The results
      from this study could then be considered and potentially strengthen the Universal Salt
      Iodization (USI) program in Thailand, to reach indigenous peoples in border areas.

      This study will conduct in Karen communities in Laiwo Subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi District,
      Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The participants will be divided into 2 groups, school-aged
      children, males and females (6-12 years), and women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The
      Participants will be collected their urine to determine urinary iodine concentrations At the
      same time, their household salt will be also collected to determine iodine content.
    

Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The participants are the Karen ethnic population living in Laiwo Subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi
        District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. It is located in the Thungyai Naresuan National
        Wildlife Sanctuary some 336 km northwest of Bangkok adjacent to the Myanmar border, and
        about 12 km east of Sangkhlaburi municipality. The participants are divided into 2 groups,
        including school-aged children, males and females (6-12 years old), and women of
        reproductive age (15-49 years old).