Knowledge, attitudes, motivators and salt-related behaviour in a cardiac care unit population: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon

BACKGROUND: High dietary salt consumption leads to hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Eastern Mediterranean region has among the highest prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the world, with high salt consumption. OBJECTIVE: Characterise knowledge, attitudes, motivators and behaviours related to salt consumption in a high-risk Lebanese population and identify factors associated with favourable and unfavourable salt-related behaviour in order to provide an evidence-base for the design of dietary salt-reduction interventions. METHODS: We administered a multicomponent questionnaire on cardiac care patients gathering information on sociodemographic factors, medical history, knowledge of salt consumption and its impact on health, attitudes towards salt consumption, salt-related behaviour and motivators perceived to impact upon behaviour. We employed multivariate logistic regression modelling to examine associations with salt-related behaviour. RESULTS: We identified several salt-related knowledge gaps, negative behavioural practices and motivators for reducing salt consumption. Specific aspects of knowledge and attitude were found to be associated with positive behaviours. Multivariate logistic regression modelling found gender, attitude score, previous salt reduction advice from a healthcare professional, having hypertension and having diabetes affected the likelihood of specific salt-related behviours being reported. Previous advice from a healthcare professional in particular was associated with improved salt-related behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide an evidence-base for the development of salt-reduction interventions targeting this high risk population, particularly in Lebanon.