Analysis of the salt consumption situation using SWOT approach and providing solutions related to COMBI strategies

Abstract

Introduction: excessive consumption of salt is one of the unhealthy eating habits and is one of the factors in the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and the resulting mortality. Using swot tool is one of the effective measures in understanding the society, planning and new solutions for behavior modification. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to salt consumption in the target society in order to provide solutions to improve the current situation. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted in hamidia town of yazd city in 2020. Qualitative  data  were  collected  using three focus groups and twenty four  individual  interviews  with  women and eleven individual interviews with health workers. Quantitative data of knowledge, attitude and performance of women regarding salt consumption were collected using a  validated questionnaire regarding salt consumption through a 4-part researcher. The amount of salt consumed was measured through a 24-hour food questionnaire and a urine test. Themes were identified from quantitative and qualitative data and analyzed and were interpreted using a swot matrix and solutions were designed using strategies COMBI. Results: the results of research showed that the highest priority among the  strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the program are, respectively, trusting the training of doctors and center personnel with the importance coefficient of 0.06, insufficient awareness about the complications of excessive salt consumption with  the importance coefficient 0.06, the presence of nutrition experts in health centers and access to health professionals with the importance coefficient of 0.05 and the existence of conflicting information in the society about salt consumption with the importance coefficient of 0.053. Conclusion: Our results showed that, the best strategy for the program of  reducing salt consumption in the target society was an aggressive strategy. Therefore, the relevant officials can, implement the aggressive strategies presented in this research  to reduce the  salt consumption