Understanding the Ecology of Iodine Deficiency and its Public Health Implications: the Case of Oromia Region in Ethiopia

The purpose of this paper is to explore the complex ecological (social and natural) conditions that have contributed to iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) in Oromia. We collected data from open-ended interviews, and then integrated it with the contemporary literatures. For this paper Oromo individuals from different parts of Oromia were interviewed. We found that in Oromia, IDDs is resulted from geographical proximity from the sea, environmental degradation and unhealthy social policies. Oromo people have been impoverished; their ability to consume iodine rich foods has gradually eroded and conditioned to depend on goitrogenic foods (affecting iodine metabolism/ synthesis of thyroid hormones). Oromia is intensively farmed, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are massively used; this resulted in the pollution of rivers and lakes with goitrogenic organic chemicals. These pollutants have created favorable conditions for the growth of goitrogenic biological agents. In parts of Oromia, soil is naturally high in fluoride- goiterogenic chemical. Denial of the Oromo people's rights to determine on their affairs has prevented them from solving their problems. The prevention of IDDs goes beyond iodizing salt. It includes providing clean water, preventing malnutrition and creating enabling social conditions.