Goiter cases fall in Sulawesi

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The frequency of goiter cases has declined in Sulawesi, except in Southeast Sulawesi, according to a health expert here.

A. Razak Thaba, the head of a body which documents cases of the affliction here, said on Tuesday that a recent survey had revealed a sharp decrease in cases since 1990.

The body sampled 100 elementary school children in three villages in each of 421 targeted districts and 300 pregnant women in each regency.

In North Sulawesi, 3 percent of the sample was found to be suffering from goiter; in Central Sulawesi, 16.5 percent; in South Sulawesi, 10.1 percent; and in Southeast Sulawesi, 29.3 percent, Razak said.

A corresponding survey conducted in 1990 showed that 6.4 percent of the sample population in North Sulawesi were goiter sufferers; 46.9 percent in Central Sulawesi; 23.9 percent in South Sulawesi; and 26.1 percent in Southeast Sulawesi. (37)