Original Research Articles
Salt and Health: public awareness, attitudes, and practices in Sri Lanka to inform a behaviour change communication campaign to reduce dietary salt
Authors:
Achala Upendra Jayatilleke ,
World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Nalika Gunawardena,
World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Angela de Silva,
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office of Southeast Asia, New Delhi, IN
Champika Wickramasinghe,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Lakshman Gamlath,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Thilak Siriwardena,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Janaki Vidanapathirana,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Shanthi Ginawardena,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Vindya Kumarapeli,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
AMAAP Alagiyawanna,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Ishanka Thalagala,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Aravinda Wickramasinghe,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Prabha Kumari,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Prasad Ranatunga,
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, LK
Sapumal Dhanapala,
World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Razia Pendse
World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Abstract
Introduction: Sri Lankan citizens consume almost double the recommended daily amount of salt.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to health effects of dietary salt among adults and adolescents in Sri Lanka to inform a national behaviour change communication campaign
Methods: We conducted a descriptive household survey among adults (n=1016) and adolescents (n=505) in 10 districts. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The approximate amount of dietary salt intake of the individuals was estimated based on household purchases.
Results: The recommended salt limit was identified by 40% of the population. Majority of adults (90.8%) and adolescents (86.1%) knew the adverse health effects of high salt intake. Although household monthly purchase of salt indicated consumption is much higher than recommended, 48.3% of adults and 45.9% of adolescents believed they consume the right amount of salt. Discretionary salt added to home cooking was a major contributor to intake, while consumption of processed food was also high. For health-related information, most preferred media is television (adults: 72%, adolescents: 69%).
Conclusions & Recommendations: The study identified gaps as well as strengths of Sri Lankan's knowledge, attitudes and practices on salt consumption and health. Study recommends a communication campaign that include specific messaging to address gaps and leveraging on strengths. The survey identified adult females to be a key target group for the campaign and television as the best mode of message delivery.
How to Cite:
Jayatilleke, A.U., Gunawardena, N., de Silva, A., Wickramasinghe, C., Gamlath, L., Siriwardena, T., Vidanapathirana, J., Ginawardena, S., Kumarapeli, V., Alagiyawanna, A., Thalagala, I., Wickramasinghe, A., Kumari, P., Ranatunga, P., Dhanapala, S. and Pendse, R., 2022. Salt and Health: public awareness, attitudes, and practices in Sri Lanka to inform a behaviour change communication campaign to reduce dietary salt. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 28(3), pp.640–653. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v28i3.8541
Published on
22 Nov 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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