Salt-restriction-spoon improved the salt intake among residents in China.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an improved salt-restriction spoon on the attitude of salt-restriction, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (24HUNa).


METHODS
A community intervention study.


METHODS
Two villages in Beijing.


METHODS
403 local adult residents being responsible for home cooking.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group were provided with an improved salt-restriction-spoon and health education, and were informed of their actual salt intake and 24HUNa. Not any intervention was given to those in the control group.


METHODS
The scores on the variables of Health Belief Model, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24HUNa.


METHODS
Covariance analyses, Chi-square tests, Student's t tests, and repeated measures analyses of variance.


RESULTS
After 6 months of intervention, the intervention group felt significantly less objective barriers, and got access to significantly more cues to action as compared to the control group. The using rate and the correctly using rate of salt-restriction-spoon were significantly higher in the intervention group. The daily salt intake decreased by 1.42 g in the intervention group and by 0.28 g in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 7.044, P<0.001) and significant difference between groups by time (F = 2.589, P = 0.041). The 24HUNa decreased by 34.84 mmol in the intervention group and by 33.65 mmol in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 14.648, P<0.001) without significant difference between groups by time (F = 0.222, P = 0.870).


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention effect was acceptable, therefore, the improved salt-restriction-spoon and corresponding health education could be considered as an alternative for salt reduction strategy in China and other countries where salt intake comes mainly from home cooking.
Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Juan
J
Chen
Ye
Y
Tian
Yixing
Y
Liao
Shuaishuai
S
Yang
Zhuoting
Z
Li
Chao
C
He
Dahong
D
Tu
Xinying
X
Sun
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary