الفهرس 
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Abstract
Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, and are critical determinants of metabolic activity, also required for proper skeletal and central nervous system development in fetuses and infants thereby protecting the body from hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Iodine is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods added to some types of salt, and available as a dietary supplement.
Iodine is very important during the pregnancy to prevent occurring of iodine deficiency disorder for the mother and the fetus .In Egypt the national salt iodization program was implemented in 1996, Egypt has a high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder, particularly in the New Valley Governorate in the Western Desert. In Egypt the overall prevalence of hypothyroidism among mothers with iodine deficiency was 15.15 %.
The aim of the present study was to assess pregnant women’s awareness and attitude towards importance of iodine intake during pregnancy at Benha university hospital.
Research Questions:-
1. What is the level of pregnant women’s awareness towards importance of iodine intake during pregnancy?
2. What is the level of pregnant women’s attitude towards importance of iodine intake during pregnancy?
3. Is there correlation between pregnant women’s awareness and attitude towards importance of iodine intake during pregnancy?
Study design:-
A descriptive design was utilized to conduct this study.
Study Setting:-
The study was conducted at obstetrics and gynecological outpatient clinic affiliated to Benha university hospital. It is a large hospital in Benha city and attracts client from all Qalubia governorate and other neighbor governorates. This clinic provides health care services of obstetrics and gynecological women, as well as family planning.
Sampling
Sample type : A convenient sample was used in the study
Sample size: The study subjects consisted of (143) pregnant women was have the time of data collection at previous mentioned setting for three months ( three days per week for three months )
Tools of data collection
Two tools were used for data collection prepared by the researcher after reviewing a related literature and under the guidance of supervisors of the study
Tool I- A structured interviewing questionnaire: this tool was constructed by the researcher after reviewing a related literature and consisted of three parts (Appendix I):
Part (1): Assessment of general characteristics of the studied pregnant women such as (age, occupation, residence, educational level, marital status, monthly income)
Part (2): Assessment of Obstetrical history of the studied pregnant women such as (number of pregnancy, gestational age of the current pregnancy, number of deliveries, complications of previous pregnancy, complications of previous delivery, complications of previous delivery , complications of current pregnancy, babies with congenital anomalies)
Part (3): maternal awareness Assessment sheet: This was developed by the researcher which used to assess the pregnant women’ awareness about the importance of iodine intake and iodine deficiency during pregnancy It included (14 items)
Tool II: Likert scale for assessment of pregnant women’s attitude toward the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy: (Appendix II)
This tool was constructed by the researcher after reviewing the related literature (Tenaw, etal, 2018 & Hine, T. 2019).
The researcher used the simple Arabic language to suit the level of women’s understanding. The scale was modified by the researcher under the guidance of supervisors of the study to measure the pregnant women’s attitude toward the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy. This scale included (18 items)
The current study revealed the following results:
• Less than half of the studied women were in age group 25 <30 years old with the mean age of 28.12+3.99 years.
• More than two fifth of studied women were in the first trimester of current pregnancy with the mean gestational age of 20.08±9.25 weeks.
• Less than three quarters of the studied women had poor total awareness regarding the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy.
• Most of the studied women had negative attitude regarding the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy
• There was no a statistically significance relation between the total awareness score of the studied women and age, residence as well as monthly income
• There were a highly statistically significance relation between the total awareness score of the studied women and educational level and occupation,
• There was no a statistically significance relation between the total attitude score of the studied women and age, residence as well as monthly income.
• There was a statistically significance relation between the total attitude score of the studied women and educational level as well as occupation.
• There were a highly statistically significance correlation between the total awareness score of the studied women and total attitude score.
Conclusion:
Based on the results of the present study and research questions, the study concluded that; Less than three quarters of the studied women had poor awareness regarding the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy. Most of the studied women had negative attitude regarding the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy. There was no a statistically significance relation between the total awareness score of the studied women and age, residence as well as monthly income. There were a highly statistically significance relation between the total awareness score of the studied women and educational level, and occupation. Also, There were a highly statistically significance relation between the total attitude score of the studied women and educational level as well as occupation. However there were no a statistically significance relation between the total attitude score of the studied women and age, residence as well as monthly income. Moreover, There were a highly statistically significance correlation between the total awareness score of the studied pregnant women and total attitude score. The above mentioned findings answered the study questions and the aim was achieved.
Recommendations:
In the light of the present study findings the following recommendations were suggested:
1. Implementation of guidelines for modification of life style of pregnant women regarding dietary iodine intake.
2. Regular periodic screening for all pregnant women for early detection of iodine deficiency disorders and providing management.
3. Booklets and posters should be available and distributed in obstetrics and gynecological outpatient clinic at Benha university hospital to increase awareness of pregnant women about the importance of iodine intake during pregnancy and hazards of low and excessive iodine intake and methods of prevention.
Recommendations for further researches:
Further researches are needed to study the effect of IDD on health of pregnant women and her fetus.
Further studies should be applied on a larger sample of pregnant women for generalization of results.