Background. Iodine deficiency has serious effects on body growth and mental development. This study assessed availability of adequately iodized salt at household level and associated factors in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was carried out among households in Gondar town during August 15–25, 2012. Multistage sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. Results. A total of 810 participants were participated. The availability of adequately iodized salt (≥15 parts per million) in the study area was 28.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that using packed salt (AOR (95% CI) = 9.75 (5.74, 16.56)), not exposing salt to sunlight (AOR (95% CI) = 7.26 (3.73, 14.11)), shorter storage of salt at household (AOR (95% CI) = 3.604 (1.402, 9.267)) and good knowledge of participants about iodized salt (AOR (95% CI) = 1.94 (1.23, 3.05)) were associated with availability of adequately iodized salt at household level. Conclusions. Availability of adequately iodized salt at household level was very low. Hence, households should be sensitized about importance of iodized salt and its proper handling at the household level. 1. Background Iodine is essential in small amounts for normal physiologic function. It is a critical component of thyroid hormones, which are necessary for controlling metabolic rate, growth, and development of body structures, as well as neuronal function and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended intake (population requirement) of iodine is 150？μg/day for adults and adolescents 13 years of age and older, 200？μg/day for women during pregnancy and lactation, 120？μg/day for children 6–12 years of age, and 90？μg/day for children 0–59 months of age [1]. Healthy humans require iodine, an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxin, and triiodothyronine. Failure to have adequate iodine leads to insufficient production of these hormones, which affect many different parts of the body, particularly muscle, heart, liver, kidney, thyroid gland, and the developing brain. Inadequate hormone production adversely affects these tissues resulting in the disease states known collectively as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). These include mental retardation, defects in development of the nervous system, goiter, physical sluggishness, growth retardation, reproductive failure, increased childhood mortality, and
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