PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES REGARDING SODIUM CONSUMPTION AMONG USERS WITH AND WITHOUT ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AT THE AQUIDABAN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UNIT IN CACHOEIRO DE ITAPEMIRIM, ES, BRAZIL

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a chronic condition with high prevalence in Brazil and is strongly associated with excessive sodium consumption, one of the main modifiable factors in disease control. Despite various educational campaigns and well-established scientific knowledge on the subject, low adherence to guidelines on the conscious use of salt remains common among the population. Given this scenario, this project aimed to understand the perceptions and practices related to sodium consumption among users with and without arterial hypertension treated at the Aquidaban Primary Health Care Unit (UBS) in the municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. This is a field, qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study conducted with users over 18 years of age, both hypertensive and non-hypertensive. Structured questionnaires were applied, and conversation circles and educational workshops were conducted on salt consumption, its health risks, and alternatives using natural seasonings. The collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis, allowing the identification of knowledge and behavioral patterns. The results showed that a significant portion of users still have limited knowledge about adequate sodium intake and its impacts on blood pressure, reinforcing the need for continuous educational actions in Primary Care.