Knowledge attitude, and practice regarding dietary salt intake among urban slum population of North India.

Abstract

Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High salt intake is an etiological factor for hypertension. Any effective salt reduction strategy will be based on people's mind-set about salt use. Our objective for this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice for dietary salt intake by urban slum populations in Indira Colony, Chandigarh. In 2015, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among a representative sample of 300 adults aged 18-69 years using a standardized questionnaire. Variations in the knowledge attitude and practice by gender and residence location were compared using the Chi-square tests. Most of them (96%) took processed foods and 99% did not bother about the salt levels in the food. They also added salt on table. They did not buy low-sodium salts. Majority of them (75%) perceived that they are taking right amount of salt. They were clueless about the daily recommended allowance. Many participants (43%) did not know about the harmful effects of dietary salt. One-fifth (18%) of them had wrong information about dietary salt. Majority of the participants (64%) considered that lowering salt in diet is not important. Overall awareness level about optimal salt intake in diet was very poor among the slum residents. Development of effective public education initiative is the need of the hour for combatting hypertension.