How much salt do adults consume in climate vulnerable coastal Bangladesh?

BACKGROUND: Evidence from numerous studies suggests that salt intake is an important determinant of elevated blood pressure. Robust data about salt consumption among adults in Bangladesh is sparse. However, much evidence suggests saline intrusion due to sea level rise as a result of climate change exposes more than 20 million people to adverse effects of salinity through the food and water supply. The objective of our study was to assess salt consumption among adults in a coastal region of Bangladesh. METHODS: Our study was cross sectional and conducted during October-November 2011. A single 24 hour urine was collected from 400 randomly selected individuals over 18 years of age from Chakaria, a rural, coastal area in Southeastern Bangladesh. Logistic regression was…