Knowledge attitude, and practice regarding dietary salt intake among urban slum population of North India

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High salt intake is an etiological factor for hypertension. Any effective salt reduction strategy will be based on people's mind-set about salt use. Our objective for this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice for dietary salt intake by urban slum populations in Indira Colony, Chandigarh. METHODOLOGY: In 2015, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among a representative sample of 300 adults aged 18–69 years using a standardized questionnaire. Variations in the knowledge attitude and practice by gender and residence location were compared using the Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Most of them (96%) took processed foods and 99% did not bother about the salt levels in the food. They also added salt on table. They did not buy low-sodium salts. Majority of them (75%) perceived that they are taking right amount of salt. They were clueless about the daily recommended allowance. Many participants (43%) did not know about the harmful effects of dietary salt. One-fifth (18%) of them had wrong information about dietary salt. Majority of the participants (64%) considered that lowering salt in diet is not important. CONCLUSION: Overall awareness level about optimal salt intake in diet was very poor among the slum residents. RECOMMENDATION: Development of effective public education initiative is the need of the hour for combatting hypertension.