Sodium concentration in home made salt – sugar – solution (sss): influence and implications of changing solvent measures.

Abstract

In a cohort of 210 young mothers, selected through cluster sampling technique from Ogida health district of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, the electrolyte concentration of prepared salt-sugar-solutions (SSS) were evaluated. This was predicated on the need to determine the effects of introduction of various solvent measures on electrolyte concentration. About 85% of mothers used appropriate sized bottles. Of the 32 that used inappropriate sized bottles, 21 (65.5%), 9 (28.1%) and 2 (6.3%) respectively used two of the 350ml coke bottle, one of 350ml coke bottle and 2 of 250ml coke bottle. The choice of appropriate sized bottle was not significantly influenced by previous use of SSS, recent use of SSS, age, maternal education and social class. Mean sodium concentration of the 600ml beer bottle or two 300ml coke bottles varied significantly from those obtained with the use of multiples of 250ml (t = 6.76; p < 0.05) and a single 350ml soft drink bottle (t = 22.53; p < 0.05). The concentration of sodium in the SSS prepared by mothers from non-standardized solutes reveals that 87 (41.4%), 85 (40.4% and 38 (18.2%) mothers respectively prepared solutions with sodium concentration (mmol/l) of 91.0 – 120.0, > 120.0 and < 91.0. The preparation of solution with appropriate sodium concentration was uninfluenced by recent use of SSS, prior use of SSS, maternal age and maternal education. The multiplicity of various sizes of soft drink bottles in the Nigerian market has the potential of worsening the problem of inappropriate sodium concentration of homemade SSS. It is recommended that a standard measure of 600ml capacity, devoid of any relationship with sale and consumption of any commercial drink be introduced into the Nigerian market to enhance SSS promotion and standardization.

Keywords: Sodium concentration, SSS, Solvent – measures.

Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (2) 2002: pp. 124-130