Evaluation of salt intake estimated from 24-h urinary sodium excretion in medical professionals in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia: a cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the daily salt intake of medical professionals working in public health facilities in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia. We conducted a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with their consumption of salt exceeding the recommended daily salt intake (≥ 5 g/day). A self-administered questionnaire and 24-h urine samples were used to obtain data on the participants' salt intake. Of 338 participants, 159 completed the 24-h urine collection. The mean sodium excretion into urine was 122.3 mmol/day, which was equivalent to a mean salt intake of 7.7 g/day when the urinary excretion rate was considered as 93%. Body mass index was positively correlated with excess salt intake (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.46), while age was negatively correlated with excess salt intake (AOR: 0.95; 95% CI 0.91-1.00). Participants who consumed ≥ 2 cups of salted suutei tsai (Mongolian milk tea) daily had a higher risk of consuming ≥ 5 g/day of salt than those who consumed ≤ 1 cup/day. The average estimated salt intake of the participants was higher than the recommended value. Medical professionals should be aware of factors associated with excessive salt consumption and make appropriate adjustments to minimize it.

Factors Related to Lacking Knowledge on the Recommended Daily Salt Intake among Medical Professionals in Mongolia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Mongolia, the recommendations are to restrict salt intake to less than 5 g/day to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to reveal factors associated with not knowing the recommended daily salt intake among medical professionals in Mongolia. Of the recruited 538 medical professionals working at public health facilities in Darkhan-Uul Province, the data from 338 (62.8%), obtained using self-administered questionnaires, were analyzed. Among these, 175 (51.8%) did not know the recommended daily salt intake. Compared with medical doctors, midwives and nurses had higher odds of not knowing the recommendations (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-12.59; AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.15-3.76, respectively). Compared to participants who consumed more than four cups/day of salted suutei tsai (Mongolian milk tea), those who consumed approximately two cups/week had lower odds of not knowing the recommendations (AOR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07-0.63). With most participants lacking accurate knowledge on this topic, and considering that people who are aware of the recommendations are more likely to take action to reduce dietary salt intake, it is imperative to urgently address this knowledge deficit because medical professionals have a responsibility to educate the community by disseminating accurate health information.

Factors Associated with Hypertension Among Men in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Mongolia, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and prevalence of hypertension is very high. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hypertension and sociodemographic factors and health-related behaviors among men in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2015 and January 2016. Men whose wives were pregnant with ≤ 20 weeks gestation and had attended antenatal health checkups at public health facilities were recruited in this study. The data were collected as part of a survey of pregnant women and their partners. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, anthropometry, and spot urine samples. A total of 224 men participated in the survey, and data from 209 participants were included in the analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that men with higher BMI had higher odds of hypertension than those with lower BMI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03-1.26). Those with urinary cotinine > 100 ng/ml (smokers) had a lower risk of hypertension (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.67) compared to participants with urinary cotinine/ml (nonsmokers). This is the first study to investigate the association between hypertension and sociodemographic factors and health-related behaviors among men in Mongolia. Based on the findings of this study, clinicians responsible for public health in Mongolia should provide health education regarding the importance of weight control in preventing hypertension.

Is High Maternal Body Mass Index Associated with Cesarean Section Delivery in Mongolia? A Prospective Observational Study.

More than half of women are reported to be overweight or obese in Mongolia, thus becoming a big health issue. Though maternal obesity is a known risk factor for cesarean section (CS), it remains unclear how much a high maternal body mass index (BMI) would influence the risk of CS among pregnant women in Mongolia. This study aimed to investigate whether a higher maternal BMI is related to CS delivery in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia. Pregnant women at 20 weeks' gestation or less who visited public health facilities for antenatal health checkups between November 2015 and January 2016 were recruited. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, body weight measurement, and medical records. In total, 508 pregnant women participated, and data from 336 women were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that higher maternal BMI at first antenatal care visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.102, p = .033), higher gestational weight gain (AOR = 1.111, p = .001), older maternal age (AOR = 1.076, p = .030), and gestational age at delivery (AOR = 0.765, p = .005) were associated with CS delivery. This study is the first to demonstrate that higher maternal BMI and higher gestational weight gain are associated with CS delivery in Mongolia. Moreover, older maternal age and lower gestational age at delivery were found to be associated with CS delivery. Preventing obesity among women is important not only from the viewpoint of prevention of lifestyle diseases but also from the obstetric point of view; it is important for medical personnel to communicate the importance of preventing obesity to all women in Mongolia.

Comparison of Knowledge about Smoking and Passive Smoking and Urinary Cotinine Levels in Pregnant Women and their Partners in Mongolia: A Cross-sectional Study.

This study aimed to compare knowledge about smoking, including passive smoking, and urinary cotinine (UC) levels in pregnant women and their partners in Mongolia. The study was conducted between November 2015 and January 2016 in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia. Pregnant women with less than 20 weeks' gestation were recruited, and their partners were also invited to participate. Self-administered questionnaires and urine samples were used to collect data. Knowledge about smoking including passive smoking was measured using 14 questions. Data were analyzed using a Student's t-test, a chi-squared test, a one-way analysis of variance, and the Tukey-Kramer method for post-hoc analysis. Correlations were measured by computing Pearson's r or Spearman's ρ. A total of 508 pregnant women and 227 partners participated in this study; of these, 221 couples' data were analyzed. Pregnant women's scores on knowledge about smoking and passive smoking were significantly higher than those of their partners (9.4 ± 2.9 and 8.7 ± 3.1, respectively; p = 0.017). Pregnant women's and their partners' scores were slightly correlated (r = 0.163, p = 0.015). Pregnant women's and their partners' UC levels were significantly correlated (ρ = 0.250, p < 0.001). This study is the first to examine knowledge about smoking and passive smoking and UC levels among pregnant women and their partners in Mongolia. Because pregnant women's and their partners' scores and UC levels were positively correlated, health education on the harm caused by smoking and passive smoking should be provided to both pregnant women and their partners.

Prevalence and risk factors of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among pregnant women in Mongolia.

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of smoking and secondhand smoking (SHS) among pregnant women in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia, using urinary cotinine (UC) levels, and clarified the factors related to SHS exposure. It targeted pregnant women who underwent antenatal health check-ups from November 2015 to January 2016. Self-administered questionnaires and urine samples were used to collect data. Using UC levels as the criterion, it was found that the prevalence of smokers (>100 ng/ml) among 493 pregnant women was 11.8%, while SHS exposure (≥5 ng/ml) among nonsmokers was 44.8%. Older and highly educated women had lower odds of SHS exposure (p = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, nonsmoking pregnant women from homes where smoking was permitted had higher odds of SHS exposure compared to women from homes where smoking was not permitted. These results suggest that community guidance programs, such as home smoking cessation that include families, are necessary.