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Iodized Salt
- Generate awareness about consumption
of iodized salt -
Iodine is an important
micronutrient. A lack of iodine in the diet can lead to iodine
deficiency disorders (IDD) which can cause miscarriages, brain
disorders, cretinism and retarded psychomotor development. It has been
estimated that 200 million people in India are exposed to the risk of
iodine deficiency. That is way SIDART, in collaboration with UNICEF, set
up a project to create awareness and establish marketing network to
promote consumption of iodized salt in Dholpur, Baseri and Ramgarh.
The objectives of the program
were to create awareness and knowledge about the need, benefits and
importance of iodized salt, to obtain commitment from the shopkeepers
and retail outlet owners to sell only adequately iodized salt, identify
and establish outlets to ensure the availability of iodized salt and to
create community awareness about the place of availability.
Trainings were organized to inform field
workers on the issue of iodine. The participants received information on
what iodine is and why it is necessary for human beings and animals,
the diseases caused by a deficiency of iodine micronutrients and why
iodine is only mixed with salt. The training made the field workers
understand what and how they should communicate.
After the training of the field workers, a
survey was performed to inform the villagers about iodine and about the
activities that were going to be performed that particular day. The
activities included a meeting with villages, shopkeepers, and students
to inform about the benefits of eating iodized salt. After the
informational session, cultural programs were organized. The songs sang
in these programs captured a message that promoted eating salt. During
the late evening, shopkeepers were told that they had to sell iodized
salt. There is a law that prohibits people from selling non-iodized
salt.
SIDART identified places were
iodized salt can be stored and made sure that the shopkeepers were
provided with iodized salt. It was successfully implemented in two
remote blocks of Alwar and Dholpur.
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