This study was designed to determine the iodine content of household salt and urinary iodine of
primary school pupils in commercial towns in Nsukka Senatorial Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. Two
commercial towns (Orba and Ibagwa-aka) in Nsukka senatorial district were purposely selected. Iodine
content of salt was measured at household level as well the nutritional iodine status of 200 school aged
children (6-12 years) was assessed by measuring their urinary iodine concentration. Validated questionnaire
was used to test the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Behaviour (KAPB) of 40 household salt consumers
and 15 salt retailers in the two communities. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was
used to analyze the data into frequencies, percentages and mean. More than half (58.3%) of the household
salt at Orba and 70% at Ibagwa-aka were iodized to an adequate level of > 15 ppm, while 12.5% at Orba and
3.7% at Ibagwa-aka, had no iodine (0 ppm). The proportions of the primary school children that were mildly
iodine deficient at Orba and Ibagwa-aka were 43.3 and 56.2%, respectively. The factors that affect the iodine
status of school children in the study areas include poor use of salt, unhygienic method of handling and
storage of salt and cultural practices. There is need to increase awareness of both the retailers and
consumers in Orba and Ibagwa-aka regarding the consequences of poor use, unhygienic handling and
storage of salt.