SurveyMETER via the Territorial Facilitation and Regional Development Division, coordinated by Dani Alfah, MPA, facilitated the BAPPEDA of the Rembang district to collect survey data for the Local Area Investigation (PWS) Disorders Due to Iodine Deficiency (GAKY). The activity has been carried out through intensive consultations since July 2016 on a census basis in all villages and completed the data collection in mid-November 2016.

The consultation materials are the quality control process of PWS implementation containing randomized controlled trials, training of enumerators, inspection, data entry, consistency check, and tabulation program.

Having completed the tabulation and analysis process, the BAPPEDA of the district of Rembang asked Dani to present the results of the PWS. The presentation was carried out in an activity series with the "Assistance in the Preparation of Evidence-Based Policy Instruments in the district of Rembang."

The presentation of PWS results was carried out by BAPPEDA in a series with the activity "Coordination Meeting on Results of Local Area Search (PWS) Disorders Due to Iodine Deficiency (GAKY) in the district of Rembang" on November 23, 2016, in the BAPPEDA Hall of the district of Rembang.

It was attended by relevant officials at the BAPPEDA, the nutrition section of the Health Office, and all PWS staff from every sub-district in the district of Rembang.

The series of events consisted of an Opening and Introduction from BAPPEDA delivered by Sri Wahyuni, M.Si (Head of Social and Cultural Administration), a presentation on "Technical Implementation of Local Area Search (PWS) Iodized Salt Consumption in the district of Rembang in 2016" by Sukarminingsih, M.Si (Head of Sub-Division of Social and Cultural Affairs BAPPEDA), presentation exposure of Local Area Search (PWS) results by Dani Alfah, MPA (SurveyMETER), presentations from representatives of the Micronutrient Initiative (MI) (NGOs from Canada who provide guidance and assistance in facilitation of iodized salt in Rembang), and presentations from the Head of Pokja III of the District PKK Mobilization Team Rembang.

Among the conclusions of the PWS study are:

1. Most of the people of Rembang use refined salt in their household consumption needs.

2. The refined salt form has a better iodine content than other forms of salt. The coarse salt model shows to carry low iodine content. The Indonesian National Standard (SNI) salt is proven to keep better iodine ingredients.

3. The community's use of iodine levels percentage in the district of Rembang is quite high at 85.26%, improved from the previous PWS program.

4. The Kaliori District (39.35%), Sluke (27.86%), Sumber (25.83%), Sarang (23.91%), Sale (21.33%), Lasem (20.50%) is a sub-district where the community still uses salt with iodine below above 20%.

PWS study recommendations: first, to provide information to the public about the form of salt, standardization of salt with SNI, and the importance of Iodine salt content for health (usability, storage, usage). Second, concrete actions for areas where the Iodine content is relatively low, through cross-sector joint efforts.

 (JF)