Design and implementation of an intelligent monitoring system for household added salt consumption in China based on a real-world study: a randomized controlled trial.

Jinli Xian, Mao Zeng, Rui Zhu, Zhengjie Cai, Zumin Shi, Abu S Abdullah, Yong Zhao

Journal: Trials 2021;21(1):349

PMID: 32317000

Free Full Text on BioMed Central View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

A high intake of salt is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Despite decades of effort to reduce salt consumption, the salt intake in China is still considerably above the recommended level. Thus, this study aims to design and implement an intelligent household added salt monitoring system (SALTCHECKER) to monitor and control added salt consumption in Chinese households.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial will be conducted among households to test the effect of a SALTCHECKER in Chongqing, China. The test modalities are the SALTCHECKER (with a smart salt checker and a salt-limiting WeChat mini programme) compared to a salt checker (with only a weighing function). The effectiveness of the system will be investigated by assessing the daily added salt intake of each household member and the salt consumption-related knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the household's main cook. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the first to explore the effect of the household added salt monitoring system on the reduction in salt intake in households. If the intelligent monitoring system is found to be effective in limiting household added salt consumption, it could provide scientific evidence on reducing salt consumption and preventing salt-related chronic diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese clinical trial registry (Primary registry in the World Health Organization registry network): ChiCTR1800018586. Date of registration: September 25, 2018.

Address: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District Chongqing, Chongqing, 400016, CN, China.; Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.; The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.; Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.; Global Health Program, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, 215347, Jiangsu Province, China.; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.; School of Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.; School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District Chongqing, Chongqing, 400016, CN, China. [email protected].; Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. [email protected].; The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. [email protected].; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04295-1

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MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases, China, Cloud Computing, Cooking, Family Characteristics, Feeding Behavior, Health Promotion, Humans, Internet, Mobile Applications, Pilot Projects, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Risk Factors, Sodium Chloride, Dietary, Surveys and Questionnaires