Research Project Summary A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine sodium intake, sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on salt intake of adults in Sarawak and find the relationship between these factors and blood pressure. A total of 135 adults aged 18 years and above residing in Kuching, Sarawak was recruited. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling. Data was collected through google forms and food intake was estimated through 2 24-hour dietary recall method which was conducted through telephone interview. Overall KAP scores were mostly poor (<60%) to fair (<60%). Majority (67.4%) of the participants had sodium intake of more than 2000 mg. Male participants were found to have significantly higher (p<0.05) sodium intake, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure than women participants. Furthermore, Bumiputera Sarawak ethnicity had significantly higher (p<0.05) systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure than other ethnicities. Lower systolic blood pressure was related with being female (adjusted R2=0.17, p<0.01). Moreover, a relationship between being female and having lower diastolic blood pressure (adjusted R2=0.228, p<0.01) as well as between Bumiputera Sarawak ethnic and having higher diastolic blood pressure (adjusted R2=0.228, p<0.01) was shown. Similarly, being female was associated with normal blood pressure status (adjusted R2=0.094, p<0.05) while Bumiputera Sarawak ethnic was associated with abnormal blood pressure status. There were no significant relationships found between KAP towards sodium intake and blood pressure. In conclusion, this study showed that gender and ethnicity but not KAP towards sodium intake were significantly associated with blood pressure among Sarawakian adults. Percentage of study completion 100% Study Completion Review This study was successfully completed within 12 months. A total of 135 adults living in Kuching, Sarawak filled in their sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, completed the KAP on salt intake questionnaire and completed the 2 24 hour dietary recalls. Achievement of set milestones (Gantt Chart) No Expected date of completion Milestone Achieved (Yes/No) Date of actual completion 1 Literature review and proposal write up 31/12/2020 Yes 19/1/2021 2 Obtain Ethical Approval 28/2/2021 Yes 10/6/2021 3 Participant recruitment and data collection 31/5/2021 Yes 9/7/2021 4 Data analysis 31/7/2021 Yes 25/8/2021 5 Thesis write-up 31/8/2021 Yes 12/9/2021 6 Thesis submission 30/9/2021 Yes 5/10/2021 Project Output E1. Human Resources Human Resources In progress Completed Information Source Malaysian Citizen Non- Citizen Malaysian Citizen Non- Citizen PhD Student - - - - Masters Student 1 - 1 - PhD Student (GRA) - - - - Masters Student (GRA) - - - - Research assistant - - - - - - - - Post Doctorate - - - - Visiting Professor (MALIM) - - - - (RA) Undegraduate Student Others - (System) F. Impact of Research towards UKM/ Country Impact towards the Country 1. Shows the determinants that will affect blood pressure of adults in Sarawak which is the state with the highest prevalence of hypertension. 2. Shows that knowledge, attitude, and practice on salt intake might not be effective to improve blood pressure for adults in Sarawak so an alternative approach should be considered. Impact towards UKM 1. Aiming for publication in a scientific journal. 2. Adds to the growing research of KAP on salt intake studies. G. Problems/ Constraints (If applicable) The sample size was not large enough to produce higher power of significance as the intended sample size for this study was 242 participants but only 135 participants were recruited. This is due to the fact that the data collection was conducted during the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) period and hence, the reach of participants was limited. Secondly, most participants in the study were aged 18-29 years. Thirdly, the EMCO period could have altered the normal eating patterns of participants so sodium intake could have been lower than usual. Moving forward, 24-hour dietary recall is prone to reporting bias in the form of underreporting or misreporting by participants as they may have forgotten certain foods that they have eaten. H. Suggestions for improvement Future studies should conduct the sodium intake analysis using 24-hour urinary sodium collection as it can correct for reporting bias. Additionally, multiple 24-hour urinary sodium collections should be done where possible. Secondly, anthropometric measurement errors such as blood pressure can be accounted for if the blood pressure monitor is standardized. Hence, it is suggested that future studies be conducted not within a movement control order which will compromise the study methodology.
