Effects of Salt-Reduction Health Education Short Videos on Salt-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Among Caregivers of Preschool Children

Background: Excessive salt intake is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Caregivers of preschool children play an important role in shaping children’s dietary behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of salt-reduction health education short videos in improving salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among caregivers of preschool children. Methods: This study enrolled 1038 caregivers of preschool children who were categorized into a short-video intervention group, a print media group, and a control group. The short-video and print media groups received a one-week salt-reduction health education intervention, whereas the control group received no additional intervention. KAP scores were assessed at pre-intervention, 1 week post-intervention, and 2 months post-intervention. Linear mixed-effects models, multivariable linear regression, and subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate intervention effects. Results: In the linear mixed-effects model analysis, the short-video intervention group showed significantly greater increases in total KAP scores at 1 week post-intervention (β = 5.87, 95% CI: 4.30–7.43, p < 0.001) and 2 months post-intervention (β = 4.03, 95% CI: 2.46–5.60, p < 0.001). In the fully adjusted multivariable linear regression analysis, the short-video intervention group had significantly higher total KAP scores than the control group at 1 week post-intervention (β = 7.25, 95% CI: 5.66–8.84, p < 0.001) and 2 months post-intervention (β = 5.26, 95% CI: 3.56–6.97, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that the short-video intervention group had significantly higher total KAP scores and domain-specific scores in most subgroups at 1 week and 2 months post-intervention. Conclusions: Salt-reduction health education short videos showed greater improvements in salt-related KAP among caregivers of preschool children than the print media intervention, although these differences cannot be attributed solely to the information delivery format, and short videos remain a promising strategy for salt-reduction education.