Twenty-four hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion in adult population of Slovenia: results of the Manjsoli.si/2022 study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of study was to assess 24-h urinary Na and K excretion and estimate the average salt and K intakes in a nationally representative sample of the adult population of Slovenia. DESIGN: A nationally representative cross-sectional study was conducted in four stages between September and November 2022: study questionnaire, physical measurements, 24-h urine collection and laboratory analysis. SETTING: Slovenia. PARTICIPANTS: We invited 2000 adult, non-institutionalised inhabitants of Slovenia, aged between 25 and 64 years. A stratified two-staged sample was selected from this population by the Statistical Office of Slovenia, using sampling from the Central Population Register. According to the WHO methodology, additional eligibility criteria were screened before participating. A total of 518 individuals participated in all four stages of the study, resulting in a response rate of 30 %. RESULTS: The mean 24-h urinary Na excretion was 168 mmol/d (95 % CI 156, 180), which corresponds to a mean estimated intake of 10·3 g salt/d (95 % CI 9·6, 11·1). Mean 24-h urinary K excretion was 65·4 mmol/d (95 % CI 63·2, 67·5), and the estimated mean K intake was 2·93 g/d (95 % CI 2·84, 3·03). There were statistically significant differences in mean intakes between males and females. The mean sodium-to-potassium ratio was 2·7 (95 % CI 2·5, 2·8). CONCLUSIONS: The study results highlighted that the salt intake in the adult population of Slovenia remains much higher than recommended by the WHO, and K intakes are insufficient, as most participants did not meet the recommendations.

Changes in Alcohol Consumption among Different Population Groups during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Outcomes of the Slovenian Cross-Sectional National Survey (SI-PANDA).

BACKGROUND: Slovenia ranks amongst the countries with the highest recorded alcohol consumption. The mortality rate attributed to alcohol-related causes of death in Slovenia also exceeds the EU average. The aim of our research was to confirm the changes in alcohol consumption in Slovenia during the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on a representative sample and to identify vulnerable groups at higher risk of increasing alcohol consumption. METHODS: Two consecutive data collections of the National Survey on the Impact of the Pandemic on Life, each in different epidemiological situations, were conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to monitor the number of alcoholic beverages consumed during the pandemic, compared to the time before the pandemic. RESULTS: The majority of the population did not change the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, and among those with changes, there were significantly more of those who drank less than those who drank more. Among respondents who drank a greater number of alcoholic beverages, statistically significantly higher proportions were found in younger age groups, people with post-secondary vocational education or higher, and people with a higher probability of mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic crisis, we need to pay special attention to vulnerable groups that are at higher risk of increasing alcohol use.