The Science of Salt: A regularly updated systematic review of the implementation of salt reduction interventions (September 2016-February 2017).

This periodic review aims to identify, summarize, and appraise studies relating to the implementation of salt reduction strategies that were published between September 2016 and February 2017. A total of 41 studies were included as relevant to the design, assessment, and implementation of salt reduction strategies, and a detailed appraisal was conducted on the seven studies that evaluated the impact of salt reduction strategies. Of these, three were national studies or included large populations and four were conducted in communities with small participant sample sizes. Each study used a different strategy for reducing salt intake varying from category-specific sodium targets for packaged food to use of a low-sodium salt substitute to behavior change interventions. Four studies found statistically significant decreases in dietary salt intake and one study showed statistically significant decreases in mean sodium density of packaged food products. Four of the seven studies used either spot or 24-hour urine samples to measure dietary salt intake and five were conducted in East or Southeast Asia-two of which were in low- and middle-income countries. Study quality varied among the seven studies and all except one had one or more risks related to bias.

The Science of Salt: A regularly updated systematic review of the implementation of salt reduction interventions (March-August 2016).

This review aims to identify, summarize, and appraise studies reporting on the implementation of salt reduction interventions that were published between March and August 2016. Overall, 40 studies were included: four studies evaluated the impact of salt reduction interventions, while 36 studies were identified as relevant to the design, assessment, and implementation of salt reduction strategies. Detailed appraisal and commentary were undertaken on the four studies that measured the impact of the interventions. Among them, different evaluation approaches were adopted; however, all demonstrated positive health outcomes relating to dietary salt reduction. Three of the four studies measured sodium in breads and provided consistent evidence that sodium reduction in breads is feasible and different intervention options are available. None of the studies were conducted in low- or lower middle-income countries, which stresses the need for more resources and research support for the implementation of salt reduction interventions in these countries.

Peace impact on health: population access to iodized salt in south Sudan in post-conflict period.

AIM: To determine the population access to salt/iodized salt during and after the armed conflict in south Sudan and to illustrate geographical variations in population consumption of iodized salt in south Sudan after the armed conflict. METHODS: The sources of data for the conflict period were the 2004 Toward a Baseline: Best Estimates of Social Indicators for Southern Sudan study report and the 2000 Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey, and for the post-conflict period the 2005 Sudan Household Health Survey (SHHS) data set. RESULTS: After peace agreement, population access to salt increased by 6.8% (Z=5.488, P<0.001) and the consumption of iodized salt increased by 32.9% (Z=24.668, P<0.001). More than 73% of families were using iodized salt but geographical differences existed between states. CONCLUSION: Peace had positive impact on population access to iodized salt in south Sudan. Public health authorities in south Sudan need to establish quality monitoring and surveillance systems to track progress toward Universal Salt Iodization goal defined by the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders.

Iodine prophylaxis programme in rural area of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.

It is well established that iodine deficiency is the principle cause of goiter and widely prevalent nutritional problem in India. A great number of subjects living in iodine deficient conditions have appeared to develop adequate adaptive mechanism without clinical evidence of thyroid hyperplasia. Also govt. of India has implemented compulsory use of iodized salt all over the nation since 1985 as a prophylactic measure. But the programme is criticised through various channels of publications, stating that the long term consumption of iodised salt may result in toxic effects of iodine, such as thyrotoxicosis and other thyroid related complications. A survey was carried out therefore to study the effects of prophylaxis programme among the rural community of Kolhapur district of non-endemic area and ill-effects if any, due to prolonged use of iodised salt were studied. Our study concludes that use of iodised salt has beneficial effects towards prophylactic measures against goiter. Also prolonged consumption of iodised salt in non-endemic area has not resulted in any ill-effects due to extra iodine.