Journal Article

Determinants of sodium intake knowledge and attitude: a cross-national analysis of socio-economic and health factors

Nomura, Shuhei, Tanoue, Yuta, Nishimura, Toshihide, Rauniyar, Santosh Kumar, Takemi, Yukari, Hayabuchi, Hitomi, Ghaznavi, Cyrus

2024

Overview

The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis across nations to: (1) identify the determinants influencing knowledge and attitudes related to sodium (Na) intake and (2) to analyse the association between knowledge and attitudes related to Na intake. We utilised a secondary data from a cross-sectional study that was conducted across seven nations. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to assess the impact of socio-economic and health-related predictors on knowledge and attitudes pertaining to Na intake and further to investigate the relationship between knowledge and attitude. Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, France, the UK and the USA. 7090 participants aged 15 years and above were included in the study. SEM analysis showed a strong association between knowledge about Na intake and related attitude across all countries, particularly in the UK (2·65, 95 % CI 1·48-3·82), France (2·62, 1·45-3·79) and the USA (1·97, 1·21-2·73). In Brazil, Japan and France, individuals or family members having certain health conditions such as raised blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes or other diseases exhibited a positive attitude towards reducing Na intake. Conversely, socio-economic factors like education and income demonstrated the complexity of influences on knowledge and attitudes about Na intake. The study underscores the need for tailored public health interventions to reduce excessive Na consumption, considering the diverse cultural, social and economic factors. It highlights the complex determinants of knowledge and attitudes towards Na intake, calling for further research in varied populations.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Attitude towards Na intake / Attitudes / Awareness level / Behavioural Nutrition / Blood pressure / Brazil / Cardiovascular disease / Cardiovascular diseases / Comparative analysis / Complexity / Cross-Sectional Studies / Discriminant analysis / Economic factors / Economic growth / Economics / Female / France / GDP / Gross Domestic Product / Health condition and Na consumption / Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Health promotion / Heart diseases / Humans / Hypertension / Indonesia / Japan / Knowledge / Knowledge about Na intake / Male / Middle Aged / Nations / Per capita / Public health / Research Paper / Socioeconomic Factors / Socioeconomics / Sodium / Sodium, Dietary - administration & dosage / Structural equation modeling / Thailand / United Kingdom / United States / Variables / Young Adult