The role of local mass media in promoting the consumption of iodized tablesalt

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is currently an important public health pr oblem in Turkey. The use of iodized salt is a simple and cheap solution. Th e purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of iodized salt use in the Trabzon region and the effect of a local mass-media education progr am in increasing usage. The overall aim was to use the findings to inform f uture health management and health education activities, and shape further development of the IDD program. Prior to the intervention, the prevalence o f iodized salt consumption was 54.5%. Following the 3-month education progr am it increased to 62.4%. There was a significant difference in the pre- an d post-intervention findings (P = 0.00237). The results show that the use o f local mass media is effective in raising the prevalence of iodized salt u se. Local mass media could therefore be used as part of a national strategy to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.