The Efficacy of Reasoned Action Theory in Determining Factors Related to Salt Consumption among Women Referring to Yazd Health Care Centers

Excessive salt consumption is associated with the severity of arterial hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy. This study tried to assess determinants of salt consumption based on reasoned action theory among women who referred to health care centers in Yazd.

This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 247 women who referred to health care centers in Yazd. Subjects were selected by multistage random sampling. Data was collected by a questionnaire designed based on constructs of reasoned action theory on three salt consumption behaviors. Data were analyzed using student t-test, chi square test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression.

Mean age of participants was 29.91 ± 6.75 years. A significant correlation was seen between using less than 6 g of salt in cooking and its intention (r = 0.132; P < 0.05), and between table salt avoidance and its intention (r = 0.422; P < 0.05) and its attitude (r = 0.411; P < 0.05), as well as between salty food avoidance and its attitude (r = 0.169; P < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that 43% intention of using less than 5 g of salt in cooking, 37% intention of table salt avoidance, and 18% intention of salty food consumption was predicted by attitude and subjective norms.

Since attitude is the most important predictor of salt-related behaviors, proper planning needs to be conducted to change of attitudes of people.