Purpose: To provide the strategies, achievement and evaluation of a community health education program for salt reduction with media campaigns.
Methods: The intervention community was Kyowa town (A district of Chikusei city, census population in 1985 = 16,792) where we have systematically conducted a community-based blood pressure control program since 1981, and health education on reduction of salt intake since 1983 for primary prevention of hypertension. The education program was performed through media campaigns including use of banners, signboards, posters, and calendars with health catchphrases. We also used catchphrase-labeled envelopes when sending documents from the municipal health center to individuals. Health festivals were held annually to enhance health consciousnesses and to improve health behavior. Some of the posters and calligraphy were painted or drawn by elementary schoolchildren as part of their education. The program was evaluated by repeated questionnaires and examination of salt concentrations of miso soup and dietary salt intake.
Results: Between 1983 and 1988, the prevalence of persons who were aware that health consultation including blood pressure measurements were available at the town office increased from 65% to 84%. The prevalence of those who knew the salt intake goal (10 g or less/day) increased from 47% to 63% and that of those who reported to reduce salt intake also increased from 38% to 58%. As for salt concentrations of miso soup, the proportion with less than 1.1% increased from 47% to 66% between 1985 and 2004. Age-adjusted mean salt intake for persons aged 40-69 years declined from 14 g to 11 g in men and from 12 g to 10 g in women between 1982-1986 and 2000-2004.
Conclusion: A long-term systemic education program through media campaigns proved feasible with the cooperation of community leaders, schools and food associations.