Effects of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Married Women with Community Oriented Medical Education in City of Kermanshah City on Iodized Salt Consumption (2004)

Despite substitution of iodized salt for common salt since 1996 in Iran, goiter prevalence has not decreased, as expected, in poor districts. Maintaining iodine salt and its addition to the meal at the time of cooking are considered as the main reasons for goiter prevalence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of knowledge, attitude and practice of married women being educated in medical community-oriented era of Kermanshah city on the consuming of iodized salt in 2004. According to census data collected and documented in 1999, 400 families were chosen randomly to be visited and observed on their consumption and maintenance of iodized salt. The woman or the person in charge of cooking was also asked to complete the questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice. Of the women, questioned aged 32.91±7.5 years, 28% were under 29 years old, 34.8% 30-34, and 37.3% were over 35 years old 50.5% were illiterate, 18.3% high school educated and 31.3% university educated. The reports showed knowledge rate at 48.3% (weak), attitude 55.9% (mediocre) and function 83.8% (mediocre). Although Chi Square Test was not significant enough to review the relation between women’s function, awareness, attitude and education as well as the relation between function, attitude and age, the relation of attitude and age was meaningful. Considering the lack women’s awareness regarding regular maintaining and consumption of iodized salt in Kermanshah city and the role of media, it is vital to educate people via media.