The role of local mass media in promoting the consumption of iodized table salt

Abstract

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is currently an important public health problem in Turkey. The use of iodized salt is a sample and cheap solution. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of iodized salt use in the Trabzon region and the effect of a local mass-media education program in increasing usage. The overall aim was to use the findings to inform future health management and health education activities, and shape further development of the IDD program. Prior to the intervention, the prevalence of iodized salt consumption was 54.5%. Following the 3-month education program it increased to 62.4%. There was a significant difference in the pre- and post-intervention findings (P = 0.00237). The results show that the use of local mass media is effective in raising the prevalence of iodized salt use. Local mass media could therefore be used as part of a national strategy to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

Spatial distribution and determinants of household iodized salt utilization in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis of Ethiopian demographic and Health survey

“…The odds of iodized salt utilization among households with high community media exposure level were 52% times higher compared with households from low community media exposure level. The current finding is in line with a study in Turkey [ 37 ]. This is due to those households who had media exposure usually have more information about their health including the importance of iodized salt compared to households without media exposure.…”

Availability of adequately iodized in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…This is probably due to improved effort of local government to ensure market availability of iodized salt, the best strategies to address ID in areas where the natural source of iodine is low. The officials are also giving special emphasis in promoting the health benefit of iodized salt through the local medias to bring the desired public awareness [ 34 ].…”

Iodine Nutrition Status and Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior in Tehranian Women Following 2 Decades Without Public Education

“…In Turkey, considerable increase in consumption of iodized salt resulted from improved awareness and knowledge regarding IDD using educational mass media campaigns. 9,43 Similarly, in Australia, iodized salt sales surged significantly after a brief but intensive media campaign regarding IDD and the benefits of consuming iodized salt. 44 Recently, text messaging interventions among Tehranian women have had significant positive effects on knowledge and attitude concerning the importance of iodized salt consumption, even though no significant changes in salt iodine and urinary iodine levels were observed.…”