title: Effectiveness of health education in promoting the use of iodized salt in Lotkoh, tehsil Chitral, Pakistan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the effect of health education on the use of iodized salt in a remote region.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly selected 31 villages in teh Lotkoh tehsil of district Chitral in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. We then randomly selected 7 households from each village and inteviewed the eldest women of the family. We also tested samples of salt for iodine concentration at the user's level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five percent of families (184/217) used iodized salt exclusively. Among the samples population, the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) informed 67% about the importance of iodized salt. Shopkeepers and neighbors informed 25%. People informed by AKHS were more likely to know the volatile nature of iodine (76% vs 55%, p < 0.001) and the advantages of iodized salt (91% vs. 75%, p = 0.001) than persons informed by other sources. People who could name any single advantage of iodized salt were more likely to use iodized salt (97%) compared to those who could not name any advantages (62%) (p < 0.001) Iodine concentration in 78% (141/183) samples was acceptable (> or = 15 ppm). One specific brand of salt consistently had sufficient iodine concentration (91%) compared to all others (47%) (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education has been effective in promoting the use of iodized salt in these isolated rural communities. A joint effort by the government, local NGOs and the community can substitute the role of mass media in such areas. Regular evaluation of iodized salt brands should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khoja
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luby
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akber
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012424:Rural Population; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D007455:Iodine