Endemic Goitre in Highland Villages in Northern Thailand

Abstract

Prevalence of goitre was recorded in seven hill tribe villages in Mae Hong Son Province in Northern Thailand. The prevalence rate ranged from 26% to 75% with 47% of the 874 people in the sample having goitre. The prevalence and size of goitre increased with age; a 75% rate was observed in individuals under the age of 40 years. There was no association of prevalence with altitude of residence or with ethnicity. However, socio-economic level was a possible source of variation in prevalence between ethnic groups within the most accessible and best developed village (Sob Pong). No cretins were observed in these villages nor in any of the 26 nearby villages with endemic goitre. There was no evidence that cretins were hidden or subjected to passive Infanticide. In the villages that had any measures to combat iodine deficiency, the measures were inadequate and reflected a lack of knowledge in both the providers and recipients of health care. A successful programme to eradicate iodine deficiency and its accompanying diseases will require careful planning, monitoring and evaluation with the individuality of each village taken into account.