Evaluation on external quality control of laboraties for iodine deficiency disorders in Guangdong province

To evaluate the capability of laboratories for iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)for the improvement of the laboratories in Guangdong province.Methods The assessment results of external quality control for IDD laboratories in centers for disease control and prevention at provincial,municipal,and county level were analyzed and the capability in IDD detection and its influencing factors were explored.Results The rates of response for urine iodine detection were 100% for the laboratories at provincial and municipal level during the period of 2001-2011 and with an average qualification rate of 97.4% for all the laboratiories.The detection results were qualified in every year.The response rates for salt iodine detection were 100% except for no responses in 2001 and 2002,with an average qualification rate of 96.9% for the period.Conclusion The capability of the laboratories for IDD in Guangdong province was improved yearly during the period of 2001-2011.But the staff training and internal qulaity control need to be reinforced.