A Study of Factors Related to the Acceptance of Iodized Rock Salt among the Producers and Consumers in Bo Kluea District, Nan Province

Abstract

Objective: To study factors associated with behavior in accepting iodized rock salt among producers and consumers in Bo Kluea district, Nan province. Methods: Data were collected using an in-depth interview with 14 salt producers and 39 consumers from villages being the production sites of rock salt, villages nearby and far from the production sites (12, 14, and 13 persons respectively). The study also arranged group discussion with producers and consumers twice in each group, with a member of six in each discussion. Results: Factors supporting acceptance of iodized rock salt were the production and the use of iodized rock salt that were not contradictory with community custom and tradition, having strong village volunteers to drive the measures on iodized salt for all, and having children as household members. Factors being obstacles for acceptance of iodized rock salt were the ways of life familiar with the use of traditional rock salt, negative experiences in using iodized rock salt, e.g. unable to it for pickling process leading to food spoilage, being influenced with the belief of other ethnic groups that using iodized rock salt caused erectile dysfunction and sterility, social context of being generous where rock salt was shared with no need to buy or buying at a cheap price, misconception that disease caused by iodine deficiency was genetic disorder. Besides, the enforcement of the law to control the production of edible salt in the area was on the basis of cooperation without punishment and lack of accessibility to the production site in conjunction with tourism and OTOP policies, made traditional rock salt and processed products from rock salt being more popular and generating more income than iodized rock salt. Conclusion: Factors related to the acceptance of iodized rock salt are related to way of life and social context. Intervention on these factors, therefore, requires collaboration from various parties to bring about change to sustainable positive behavior.