Awareness of the dangers of high salt intake among the urban Omani population

Abstract EN

Objectives : this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public in Oman regarding the dangers of high salt intake.

Methods : this cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the urban population in Oman.

individuals aged ≥18 were invited to join the study.

results : a total of 1,214 respondents (mean age 34 } 10 years) answered the questionnaire.

the majority were male (65.8%), employed (69.4%) and some were hypertensive (14.3%).

most (90.9%) were aware that excess salt can cause diseases such as hypertension and that it is either somewhat important (51.2%) or very important (42.9%) to reduce salt in the diet.

however, only 42.2% said that they actively try to reduce salt in their diet.

Conclusion : although most people in urban areas of Oman appear to be aware of the dangers of high salt intake, only a few are actively trying to reduce it.

more educational activities are required to improve awareness.