Zhifang Li1, Xiangxian Feng1, Tao Wu2, Lijing Yan3, Paul Elliott4,5, Yangfeng Wu6,7,8. 1. Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi, China. 2. Epidemiology, Janssen Research and Development, Beijing, China. 3. Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. 4. MRC Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. 5. National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. 6. Peking University Clinical Research Institute, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. 7. Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China. 8. The George Institute for Global Health at Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a novel mass media intervention in increasing media reports on salt and health by involving media reporters in a scientifically well designed salt reduction trial. METHODS: We recruited and trained 66 media reporters in Changzhi, Shanxi province, China to conduct a randomized controlled trial on blood pressure lowering effect of salt substitute in Dec, 2012 and Jan 2013 among their own relatives or friends (253 from 129 families in the salt substitute arm and 263 from 133 families in the control arm for two months). We shared trial results and other information on salt and health with the reporters within a month after the trial. We monitored all local newspapers for the number of relevant articles in 3 months before, 3 months during and 3 months after the intervention and at the 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th and 48th months after the intervention. Additionally, we conducted two independent surveys on knowledge, belief and behaviours of salt and health among local citizens before and after the intervention. RESULTS: As expected, systolic blood pressure was reduced significantly more in the salt substitute than the control group (-4.7±11.0 mmHg vs -2.6±10.3 mmHg, p<0.001) in the randomized trial. The monthly mean number of relevant articles increased from 0.7 before to 1.7 during (p = 0.263), and further to 6.0 after the intervention (p<0.001), and varied from 2 (p = 0.170) to 4 (p = 0.008) from the 6th to 48th month; the awareness of knowledge on salt and health among local citizens improved significantly after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Media reporters' participation in a well-designed salt reduction trial significantly increased the number of relevant media reports, and the effect was sustained for a prolonged period. Future mass media public health education programs should consider this innovative strategy for better and sustained impacts.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a novel mass media intervention in increasing media reports on salt and health by involving media reporters in a scientifically well designed salt reduction trial. METHODS: We recruited and trained 66 media reporters in Changzhi, Shanxi province, China to conduct a randomized controlled trial on blood pressure lowering effect of salt substitute in Dec, 2012 and Jan 2013 among their own relatives or friends (253 from 129 families in the salt substitute arm and 263 from 133 families in the control arm for two months). We shared trial results and other information on salt and health with the reporters within a month after the trial. We monitored all local newspapers for the number of relevant articles in 3 months before, 3 months during and 3 months after the intervention and at the 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th and 48th months after the intervention. Additionally, we conducted two independent surveys on knowledge, belief and behaviours of salt and health among local citizens before and after the intervention. RESULTS: As expected, systolic blood pressure was reduced significantly more in the salt substitute than the control group (-4.7±11.0 mmHg vs -2.6±10.3 mmHg, p<0.001) in the randomized trial. The monthly mean number of relevant articles increased from 0.7 before to 1.7 during (p = 0.263), and further to 6.0 after the intervention (p<0.001), and varied from 2 (p = 0.170) to 4 (p = 0.008) from the 6th to 48th month; the awareness of knowledge on salt and health among local citizens improved significantly after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Media reporters' participation in a well-designed salt reduction trial significantly increased the number of relevant media reports, and the effect was sustained for a prolonged period. Future mass media public health education programs should consider this innovative strategy for better and sustained impacts.
Authors: B F Zhou; J Stamler; B Dennis; A Moag-Stahlberg; N Okuda; C Robertson; L Zhao; Q Chan; P Elliott Journal: J Hum Hypertens Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 3.012
Authors: Nancy R Cook; Eva Obarzanek; Jeffrey A Cutler; Julie E Buring; Kathryn M Rexrode; Shiriki K Kumanyika; Lawrence J Appel; Paul K Whelton Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2009-01-12