Salt Intake Behavior Among the Faculties And Doctors of Bangladesh University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Excess of salt consumption increases blood pressure which is a leading risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. The real salt intake practice among Bangladeshi population is still unknown which demands further research. The objective of the study was to assess the salt intake pattern among the faculties and doctors of Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 92 faculties and doctors of BUHS in 2015 using a semi-structured, self-administered and modified version of WHO STEPS questionnaire of salt intake. The questionnaire included information regarding knowledge and practice of salt intake.Results: Among the total respondents 58% were women and 60% were academicians with mean age 41.1 ±10.6 years. The prevalence of added salt intake in meal was 28.2%. Regarding practice, 31.6% used salty sauce in meal, 52.8% used salty sauce in cooking, and 41.8% consumed processed food with high salt. But almost three fourth (72.8%) of the respondents believed that lowering salt in meal is very important and 93.5% of them believed that excess salt or salty sauce can cause a health problem.Conclusion: The respondents had overall good knowledge regarding added salt intake but the practice was low. To reduce the prevalence of added salt intake further awareness needs to be developed.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 94-98

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Dietary Salt Intake among Nurses Working in a Cardiac Hospital in Bangladesh Sciences

“…The proportion of nurses (62.6%) believed for using just the right amount of salt in meal has been found almost similar to the medical students (60.7%) 14 but double than the faculties and doctors (29.3%), 13 higher than mass-population (44.4%), 8 but less than the slum population (82.8%). 17 Moreover, the proportion of nurses believing that lowering salt in diet is very important was higher (83.4%) than the faculties and doctors (72.8%) 13 and medical students (57.6%), 14 more than double than the mass-population (38.8%) 8 and three times higher than the slum population (26.0%). 17 However, more proportion of nurses (49.3%) used to take extra salt in meal than the faculties and doctors (28.3%) 13 and the medical students (37.2%), 14 but less than the masspopulation (59.4%) 8 and slum population (58.1%).…”

“…Although level of knowledge found mostly 'Average', the overall knowledge on health consequences of too much salt intake was found hundred percent among the participating nurses when compared to the faculties and doctors (93.5%), 13 medical students (89.9%), 14 mass-population (60.7%) 8 and slum population (61.9%) 17 of Bangladesh. The proportion of nurses (62.6%) believed for using just the right amount of salt in meal has been found almost similar to the medical students (60.7%) 14 but double than the faculties and doctors (29.3%), 13 higher than mass-population (44.4%), 8 but less than the slum population (82.8%). 17 Moreover, the proportion of nurses believing that lowering salt in diet is very important was higher (83.4%) than the faculties and doctors (72.8%) 13 and medical students (57.6%), 14 more than double than the mass-population (38.8%) 8 and three times higher than the slum population (26.0%).…”

“…17 Moreover, the proportion of nurses believing that lowering salt in diet is very important was higher (83.4%) than the faculties and doctors (72.8%) 13 and medical students (57.6%), 14 more than double than the mass-population (38.8%) 8 and three times higher than the slum population (26.0%). 17 However, more proportion of nurses (49.3%) used to take extra salt in meal than the faculties and doctors (28.3%) 13 and the medical students (37.2%), 14 but less than the masspopulation (59.4%) 8 and slum population (58.1%). 17 Their high salt containing processed food intake behavior was remarkably higher (76.8%) than the faculties and doctors (41.8%) 13 the medical students (72.2%), 14 mass-population (65.9%) 8 and slum population (63.0%).…”

“…17 However, more proportion of nurses (49.3%) used to take extra salt in meal than the faculties and doctors (28.3%) 13 and the medical students (37.2%), 14 but less than the masspopulation (59.4%) 8 and slum population (58.1%). 17 Their high salt containing processed food intake behavior was remarkably higher (76.8%) than the faculties and doctors (41.8%) 13 the medical students (72.2%), 14 mass-population (65.9%) 8 and slum population (63.0%). 17 According to the previous evidence from Bangladesh, it is evident that a noticeable proportion of nurses are at risk for developing hypertension considering their salt intake behavior.…”

“…And, 93.5% of them know that excess salt and salty sauce can cause health problems and 72.8% believed that lowering salt in meal is very important. 13 On the other hand, 37.2% of medical students are habituated to use extra salt, 89.9% are aware about health consequences, and 57.6% believe that lowering salt is very important. 14 But there is no relevant data of salt intake behavior among the nurses of Bangladesh.…”