Hypertension is the second leading risk factor for mortality in Thailand accounting for nearly 70,000 deaths each year. One out of four adults have clinical hypertension requiring treatment. Excessive consumption of sodium is a major risk factor for hypertension.

To reduce sodium intake Thailand has developed a 5-pronged strategy; one of which is surveillance and monitoring. Nationally representative baseline data on sodium intake was unavailable. Leveraging a strong partnership including MoPH, Low salt network (NGO), Mahidol University, The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Resolve to Save Lives and WHO, the first nation-wide-survey to estimate population sodium intake using 24-hour urine collections was conducted during 2019-2020.

WHO provided technical support to prepare the survey protocol, contributed to training of survey teams, supported data analyses and organized a workshop to prepare a scientific manuscript. A group of 22 young Thai researchers from four Provinces and Bangkok area were trained in survey methodology and scientific writing. Thailand’s capacity in measurement of population sodium intake is strengthened at central and provincial levels. WHO also supported the dissemination of survey findings to public through media and is continuously advocating to policy makers via multiple fora.

The findings of the survey indicate that the overall sodium intake is approximately 3.6 gm, twice the amount recommended by WHO. Higher sodium intake was associated with younger age, having hypertension and BMI>25 kg/m2. The study was peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.[1] The paper will add momentum to public health efforts to reduce sodium consumption in Thailand and provide a baseline for monitoring progress.