Correlation between salt consumption and certain behavioral factors in the population of the eastern and Khangai regions of Mongolia / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

ABSTRACT

IntroductionIn Mongolia, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke have consistently been the number one cause of population mortality since 1990s. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for CVDs and stroke. There is a conclusive evidence that high salt intake is the strongest dietary factor for hypertension. However, in Mongolia, evidence on actual salt intake of the population, its potential sources and relations to high blood pressure has been in lack so far.GoalThe survey was aimed to determine actual daily salt intake and related behavior patterns in the population residing in Eastern and Khangai regions and in the city and to identify the directions of further activities to decrease the amount of salt consumed per day by the target population.Materials and MethodsThe survey recruited a total of 475 adults from Khentii, Bulgan aimags and Bayanzurkh district of Ulaanbaatar. Questionnaires, physical measurements and laboratory analyses were applied to collect and process the data on population demographics, behavior patterns and salt related KAP, blood pressure and sodium and potassium values in 24 hour urine samples to estimate daily salt intake. A survey database was developed using EPI INFO and the data was entered in twice. SPSS 18 software was used for the data analysis, mean and standard deviations were estimated using t and F statistics on continuous variables with normal distribution, and chi square test was applied to differences in proportions.ResultsMean age of the survey population was 44.5 years; the survey population was not differing in their age, gender and region. Average daily consumption of salt was 9.5 grams in the survey population; it was not differing in terms of region. Men consumed on average 10.1 grams of salt which is twice much higher than the WHO recommended amount. Salt consumption was higher among those aged 45-54 years and rural persons, particularly men. For men and people aged 45-54 years old, the salt consumption was directly related to their salt tea drinking habit (r= 0.14; p=0.04). Those who drink alcoholic drinks frequently have higher body mass index and/or less educational attainment were more likely to drink tea with salt. In the Eastern Region, regardless of a habit of drinking tea without salt, the high salt consumption seems to be caused by insufficient knowledge of salt containing meals and food products (r=.27; p=0.001), lack of awareness of health impacts of salt, as well as lack of attitude towards their control of daily salt intake (r= ; p= ). In the Khangai Region and the urban city, salt added to meals and food preparation (Partial r =.22; p=0.05), salt containing food products and salt tea are the main factors of high salt consumption. The survey population in these areas lacks attitude and practice to decrease and control their daily salt intake.ConclusionSalt consumption is generally high among the adults of the Eastern and Khangai Regions and in UB city; males and rural people are lacking in knowledge and attitude related with salt content of food, food choice and with the potential health impacts of excessive sodium intake.