In a 2005 study, the number of households consuming iodized salt in South Sudan increased from 40% to 73%. But there are still many goiter cases in rural South Sudan, and iodine deficiency remains a major public health problem.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in three South Sudan counties to determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency among rural Southern Sudan patients with goiter. The study found that 25% of the patients had moderate to severe iodine deficiency, and 62% consumed non-iodized salt.

It concluded that iodine deficiency is a likely cause of goiter among rural South Sudan communities, and women are particularly vulnerable.