O-81 Attitudes toward salt consumption among Jamaican Adults: Findings from the Jamaica Salt Consumption Study 2022-2023

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from a nationally representative sample of Jamaicans ≥18 years. Research assistants administered a questionnaire which included items on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and attitudes toward salt consumption. Responses were used to create three categories: “Favours high salt”, “Favours low salt” and “neither high nor low salt”. Spot urine samples were used to estimate sodium and potassium intake. Survey weighted multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) for associations comparing participants who favoured low salt diets (LSD) to those who favoured high salt diets (HSD).

Results: Data from 952 participants (374 males, 578 females; mean age 40.9 years) were analysed. Overall, 53.2% of participants favoured LSD, 12.2% favoured HSD and 34.6% favoured neither high nor low salt diets. Higher proportions of older persons, rural residents, and those less educated favoured LSD. In sex-specific multivariable models, men who favoured LSD to HSD were older (OR 1.03, p=0.004), and more likely to have high cholesterol (OR 3.68, p=0.014), high physical activity (OR 2.36, p=0.006) or rural residence (OR 2.42, p=0.024). Among women, those who favoured LSD were older (OR 1.08, P<0.001), and more likely to have diabetes (OR 3.17, p=0.004), but less likely to be smokers (OR 0.26, p=0.001). Men who favoured LSD had lower potassium intake compared to those who favoured HSD, but there was no statistically significant difference in sodium intake for men nor for sodium or potassium intake for women.

Conclusion: While a majority of Jamaicans, particularly older adults, preferred LSD, 12% of the population prefers HSD. Public health campaigns and policies should build on the preference for LSD to address Jamaica’s cardiovascular disease burden.