Iodine status in women attending Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar: a matched case-control study.

Background: Iodine deficiency can have adverse health effects in all age groups affecting growth, development and cognitive functions as well as the incidence of goitre. Worldwide, the most important dietary source of iodine is iodised salt. In Tanzania, iodine intake has varied due to multiple salt suppliers producing iodised salt with varying quality.

Sensorineural deafness in Tanzanian children--is ototoxicity a significant cause? A pilot study.

Objectives: 9 years experience working in Tanzania revealed a surprisingly large population of profoundly deaf children. The object was to identify the cause.

Methods: 200 children between the ages of 5-12 with significant sensorineural hearing loss were identified in Stone town, Zanzibar.