Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with regard to iodine-deficiency disorders and iodized salt

Abstract

In 1995 Mongolia introduced a national programme of salt iodization to eliminate iodine-deficiency disorders. To investigate the extent of acceptability and utilization of iodized salt, a study of people's knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) was carried out in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, in 1996 and 1997. A total of 838 people (housewives, parents of schoolchildren, post-partum women, and pregnant women) were interviewed about their KAP regarding iodine-deficiency disorders and iodized salt. In addition, the amount of salt consumption at the household level was examined. Over 95% of the study population knew about iodine-deficiency disorders and iodized salt, and most of them received the information from television and radio. About 90% of them had already used iodized salt. The price of iodized salt is a little higher than that of common salt, but it is still affordable for most people. This study demonstrates the possibility of the expansion of the programme nationwide.