Opinions of Yasuj People about Salt Consumption: A Qualitative Study with Content Analysis Approach

Abstract Background and Aim: Overuse of salt is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is the first cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of the present study was to extract the views and opinions of the people of Yasuj about salt intake in order to use its findings in designing and implementing a behavioral intervention to reduce salt intake. Methods: In the present qualitative study, which was done by content analysis approach, the data were collected through six sessions of centralized discussion with presence of 66 residents of Yasuj, Iran. The data collecting tool was grouped in semi-structured questions. The comments presented were fully recorded, implemented and analyzed with the help of the content analysis method manually. Finally, five main themes and 31 sub-themes were identified and after several readings, the main themes were grouped together with similar meanings. Results: Five main themes were self-assessment of the level of salt consumption (with 5 subfields), side effects of too much salt (with three subfields), low barriers salt intake (11 subfields), strategies to reduce salt intake (8 subfields), communication channels were identified for communicating with individuals and encouraging them to reduce salt intake (with four sub-topics). Most participants in the study were aware of their salt intake, knew the side effects of too much salt in hypertension, educational programs at home and with minimal time and for all members of the family, and offer alternatives healthy for salt offered, Physicians and health care providers in the service centers considered the most influential people to modify their behavior. Conclusion: To improve risk behaviors such as high salt intake in the community, it is important to know their views and opinions so that effective audience-based interventions can be designed and implemented